His horrific killing accelerated a cultural and political revolution. Public approval for the Black Lives Matter movement has surged to a majority level, with 52% of registered voters voicing support. Once unthinkable policy proposals, such as disbanding entire police departments, are under serious consideration. And obscure legal debates over ending qualified immunity for predatory police are part of the mainstream political discussion.
Institutions that have perpetuated the status quo are crumbling. Police unions, the ferocious friend of corrupt cops everywhere, have become the butt of ridicule. Their diminished power has given political cover to Congress and state legislators, who are introducing and passing police reform bills at a record pace. Meanwhile, thanks to public protest, the long-running reality show “Cops” is canceled after 32 “egregious and cruel” seasons!
This rapid change is astonishing, and I’ll continue to keep you updated on this extraordinary awakening. I’ve included more outstanding media coverage below.
SHIFTING PUBLIC OPINION
- How public opinion has moved on Black Lives Matter (NY Times)
- Big majorities support protests over Floyd killing and say police need to change, poll finds (Washington Post)
- The Floyd protests have changed public opinion about race and policing. Here’s the data. (Washington Post)
POLICE UNIONS
- I used to be a police chief. This is why it’s so hard to fire bad cops. (Washington Post)
- How police unions became such powerful opponents to reform efforts (NY Times)
- Police unions and police misconduct: What the research says about the connection (Washington Post)
- Minneapolis police chief ends negotiations with police union in a bid for reform (Politico)
QUALIFIED IMMUNITY
- How the supreme court lets cops get away with murder (NY Times)
- For cops who kill, special Supreme Court protection (Reuters)
SYSTEMIC RACISM & POLICING
- There’s overwhelming evidence that the criminal justice system is racist. Here’s the proof. (Washington Post)
HOW TO FILM THE POLICE
- How to turn filming the police into the end of police brutality (MIT Technology Review)
- If you see the cops, start recording (The Verge)
- How to safely and ethically film police misconduct (Teen Vogue)
POLICY CHANGE
- Rage and promises followed Ferguson, but little changed (NY Times)
- New York’s repeal of section 50-a — which allowed police to shield misconduct records — is a big win for activists (Vox)
- Minnesota governor endorses package of sweeping police changes (Washington Post)
- Panel discussion on radical police reform (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah)
- Democrats unveil broad police reform bill as Floyd’s death sparks protests nationwide (Washington Post)
- How to Actually Fix America’s Police (The Atlantic)
‘DEFUND,’ ‘ABOLISH,’ OR ‘REFORM’ THE POLICE?
- The “abolish the police” movement, explained by 7 scholars and activists (Vox)
- After protests, politicians reconsider police budgets and discipline (NY Times)
- ‘Defund the police’ gains traction as cities seek to respond to demands for a major law enforcement shift (Washington Post)
- Can the police really change? (Democracy Journal)
- 5 takeaways from John Oliver’s outstanding ‘Last Week Tonight’ episode on defunding the police (Fast Company)
- How Much Do We Need The Police? (NPR: Code Switch)