Posted on 09/28/2020 10:58:27 AM PDT by karpov
MINNEAPOLIS — Over three months ago, a majority of the Minneapolis City Council pledged to defund the city’s police department, making a powerful statement that reverberated across the country. It shook up Capitol Hill and the presidential race, shocked residents, delighted activists and changed the trajectory of efforts to overhaul the police during a crucial window of tumult and political opportunity.
Now some council members would like a do-over.
Councilor Andrew Johnson, one of the nine members who supported the pledge in June, said in an interview that he meant the words “in spirit,” not by the letter. Another councilor, Phillipe Cunningham, said that the language in the pledge was “up for interpretation” and that even among council members soon after the promise was made, “it was very clear that most of us had interpreted that language differently.” Lisa Bender, the council president, paused for 16 seconds when asked if the council’s statement had led to uncertainty at a pivotal moment for the city.
“I think our pledge created confusion in the community and in our wards,” she said.
The regrets formalize a retreat that has quietly played out in Minneapolis in the months since George Floyd was killed by the police and the ensuing national uproar over the treatment of Black Americans by law enforcement and the country at large. After a summer that challenged society’s commitment to racial equality and raised the prospect of sweeping political change, a cool autumn reality is settling in.
National polls show decreasing support for Black Lives Matter since a sea change of good will in June. In Minneapolis, the most far-reaching policy efforts meant to address police violence have all but collapsed.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
George Floyd wad not “killed”, he dief of an overdose, suicide maybe, accidental death most likely.
Note to the NYT: You can’t unring a bell.
“After a summer that challenged society’s commitment to racial equality...”
This is how the NYT stylebook renders “After a summer of intense public anger at a gargantuan increase in crime due to police reluctance to do their jobs...”
They don’t deserve a single police officer. What person of honor would serve that crowd? I hope they all leave and the last turns out the lights on his way home.
They should have ended policing as they knew it when an unqualified muzzy they pushed onto the force murdered a White Australian Woman.
Collectivism feels bad about cause and effect.
“Things Retards Do” would have been a shorter headline...
Getting rid of the police is/was a bad idea.
Even worse, riots, arson, looting, blocking traffic, physical assaults, and murder demonstrates just how bad an idea it is.
“I think our pledge created confusion in the community...”
No, it didn’t. The cops, the criminals, and the crime victims clearly understood what you said.
Another miserable failure by virtue signaling, social justice idiots. They always fail and the never take responsibility.
I think this is an example when you vote the childishly immature into a city council. It is not only the polls but I am sure they are now being yelled at by their stupid constituents who have changed their minds that are based on emotions of the moment now that they see the reality of crime running rampant. They deserve each other.
It collapsed because crime victims of all races correctly blame the Communist Democrats for putting them in harm’s way. Once the Communist Democrats saw the polling numbers they freaked and reversed themselves. It’s too late; let their ridiculous claims be linked to them forever.
It used to be that people elected people that had some sense. People that were supposed to think calmly and make rational decisions. People that were supposed to not be swayed by mob mentality.
Sadly, those days are long over and idiots get put into places of authority and the people suffer. The left can’t have their direct democracy so they elect idiots that make it almost as bad.
“It became a case study of stupidity meeting reality.”
Right; getting rid of the police sounded hip until there were no cops.
I think we should compromise; if people don’t pay for police services they don’t get them. The people with the most police encounters will have none at all...
This makes no sense, probably on purpose.
“since George Floyd was killed by the police”
Here we go again!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.