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Something that I keep seeing come up is confusion and concern about @geo3550’s anti-policing platform, #DisarmDemilitarizeDefund. The question “who will keep us safe if there are no police” might seem reasonable, but I think it’s time to set the record straight #UMMakesUsSick 1/
Let’s not forget who “us” is in the question – in most cases the ones asking these questions aren’t the ones most often verbally and physically assaulted and killed by police. They’re not from those groups who are fearful of entering spaces where police are a big presence 2/
The topic of the importance of @geo3550’s anti-policing demands for our Black and brown communities has been addressed in a number of threads, which I link below. 3/
So, #DisarmDemilitarizeDefund. Let’s talk about why @geo3550 members want to disarm DPSS officers on our campus. #StrikeForSafeCampus #UMMakesUsSick 4/
This demand is about creating a safe workplace for all members of the UM community. Having armed police officers or security on campus is dangerous, especially to vulnerable members of our community, like Black and brown students, faculty, staff, and wider community members 5/
Lots of people seem especially concerned about “disarm” – earlier today the question was raised about the issue of “needing” armed police or security in the case of something like the active shooting scare at UM in 2019 6/ https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2019/03/active-shooter-scare-at-university-of-michigan-stemmed-from-team-building-exercise.html
While an active shooter scenario is scary, you are actually *more likely* to die from an encounter with the police. This is especially true for certain communities who are preferentially killed by police. 7/ https://www.businessinsider.com/us-gun-death-murder-risk-statistics-2018-3?r=DE&IR=T
In the unlikely event of an active shooter, AAPD will almost certainly be sent to campus anyways, regardless of our union contract (what little role DPSS played in the immediate response to the 2019 false alarm active shooter was overshadowed by city & county police) 8/
Moreover, only 3% of what DPSS responds to and deals with is actual violent crime (rape, assault, etc.). There really isn’t a need for so many or any armed cops on our campus. 9/ https://www.dpss.umich.edu/content/crime-safety-data/crime-statistics/
Prior to the formation of DPSS in the 90s, just like today, AAPD was responsible for dealing with most crimes. Arming campus police only occurred after Michigan Legislature approved the creation of campus police forces, & was previously unnecessary. 10/ http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(v4oadmu0zc1ewabxbhjk1anl))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-390-1511
@geo3550’s anti-policing demands do “not mean that when you dial 911 there won’t be someone to respond to your emergency; it means that the right person will respond with the right skills and tools to provide the care you need” 11/ https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/6/12/21283813/george-floyd-blm-abolish-the-police-8cantwait-minneapolis
We have seen too many times the damage that has been done by cops coming in guns blazing when responding to any kind of disturbance. One local example to remember is Aura Rosser in 2014. 12/ https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2014/11/ann_arbor_police_shooting_name.html
Demilitarize is easy: UM should stop buying discounted military equipment. Period. @DrMarkSchlissel claims that rather than a unilateral strategy like defunding the police or “addressing these critical issues through a bargaining contract that applies to one group of employees”
UM “endorses thoughtful engagement with the broader university community.” This community partnership is echoed in DPSS’s mission but there is no evidence of community work or research on their website. #CopsOffCampus 14/ https://www.dpss.umich.edu/content/about/mission-vision/
A lot of the university community is already behind @geo3550’s strike. We have recently seen support from numerous undergraduates, faculty, @UMResstaff, and beyond. But there have been concerns about policing at UM raised in the past by @UmichLSA (2015): https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/dcc-project/wp-content/uploads/sites/789/2020/08/UM-BLM-Mass-Incarceration-Long-Version.pdf
And The Carceral State Project ( @UmichLSA) in 2019: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/dcc-project/wp-content/uploads/sites/789/2020/08/UM-BLM-Mass-Incarceration-Long-Version.pdf. This means that units within UM were ALREADY aware that their policing policies were a problem. #UMMakesUsSick
But this clearly isn’t enough for UM. @DrMarkSchlissel wants to give community members who’d rather the police *stick around* a chance to air their grievances. Is anyone surprised? #UMMakesUsSick
Like most of @geo3550’s work stoppage demands, #DisarmDemilitarizeDefund is for the greater good of the community and the community sees it and stands with us. Why can’t UM admin? #UMMakesUsSick #StrikeForSafeCampus
There are other ways to ensure that people are getting their needs met, other community-based justice initiatives that the DPSS budget $$ could be invested in: active shooter training for the UM community; restorative justice measures; anti-racism training; and mental health
