THREAD: The #BlackLivesMatter movement is spurring us to reimagine a racially just society. Here's how #DefundThePolice could fund the public goods that build healthy communities -- and create thousands of good jobs in the process. /1 https://forgeorganizing.org/article/black-workers-matter-how-defunding-police-could-create-thousands-good-jobs-black-communities

Public transit is one good example. Transit is critical infrastructure that connects people to jobs, food, and hospitals. And Black and Brown people — who are most likely to be low-wage/essential workers — rely on public transit the most. /2

But over-policing on transit has targeted of people of color for minor infractions while transit-oriented development without affordable housing has spurred gentrification and displacement, making public transit a critical arena in the fight for racial justice. /3

Using economic modeling, our research indicates that diverting funds from policing toward building clean transit systems in Black neighborhoods could create thousands of good, family-sustaining transit careers for Black workers. Here are our examples of what that could mean: /4

In NYC, where advocates are calling for a $1 billion cut to the NYPD’s budget, we found that the same amount invested in buying electric buses for the MTA could support up to 5,700 good jobs. /5

From 2010 to 2017, Chicago spent more than $709 million on police settlements and judgments. If that money was invested solely in electric buses, CTA could have supported up to 4,043 good manufacturing jobs. /6

Instead of spending $797 mil on policing transit, LA Metro could support at least 1,334 jobs. What’s more, the agency could finance nearly all of its mandated transition to 100% electric buses with its current policing budget, supporting thousands of good jobs in the process. /7

This year, federal lawmakers will invest $400 million in a policing program. If the government invested in electric buses instead, that $400 million could support up to 2,280 manufacturing jobs and contribute to cleaner, climate-safe neighborhoods. /8

Transit is just one piece of the puzzle. As the national uprising for Black lives has made clear, we need a systematic approach to reinvesting in Black communities, one that defers to community leadership and makes sure our public goods do the most public good. /9

#DefundThePolice has become more than a hashtag or a slogan: It’s the rallying cry of a movement that wants to see racial justice in its lifetime. Read our op-ed in @ForgeOrganizing (and check out the journal's new issue on racial capitalism!). https://forgeorganizing.org/article/black-workers-matter-how-defunding-police-could-create-thousands-good-jobs-black-communities