today while picketing at @umich with @geo3550, i learned about the defunding of campus police demand and i would like to share with #a2council folks. the history of GEO and the police presence on this campus may be illuminating for some who are unsure about this demand.

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disclaimer: my dates aren’t exact on this, and i am not an expert on the topic.

the campus police didn’t exist until the 1980s, and it was created in response to @geo3550’s activities at the time. they went on strike in the late 1970s, and continued to be outspoken.

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the campus police were not armed until the 2000s. the police budget has typically increased by 5%-10% per year. last year, it increased by 18%. black and brown students and community members have been targeted by campus police disproportionately.

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meanwhile, the @UMichDiversity office is underfunded. the office of equity and inclusion, which is supposed to investigate sexual assault and harassment, is underfunded. they apparently can’t even hire a social media manager. i could not find accounts for this office.

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defunding the campus police by 50% may seem like a lot, but this would bring funding back down to a level of not even a decade ago.

umich police contract with ann arbor police, but the nature of this contract is unknown to the public. there is no transparency.

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@geo3550, please fill us in if i have this information wrong, or if i’m missing key pieces. some of us at #a2council support defunding the AAPD, and will gladly join your efforts. and hopefully some will gain a broader understanding of unchecked police funding and power.

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