The
tensions that exist between the police and communities of color are not
new. In too many neighborhoods, incidents of racial profiling, allegations
of excessive use of force, and charges of questionable stop-and-frisk practices
are the norm, rather than the exception. These incidents erode public co
nfidence in the police. Even in the face of public outrage and demands for
reform, communities have sometimes found that moving beyond protest to proposals
for change and reform is elusive. Yet reform is not only possible, but also
necessary.
Organized for Change: The Activist's Guide to Police Reform, contains
strategies to help advocates committed to moving their police departments
closer to a vision of community-centered policing.
The manual describes the nuts and bolts of a scope of advocacy strategies-both
traditional and nontraditional; among them: organizing, developing the media,
petitioning administrative agencies, and backing legislation. It provides
examples of each advocacy strategy that can be leveraged to achieve police
reform.
Organized for Change is divided into five principal areas:
"Seizing the Moment: Urgent, Unified Community Response," which provides tips for developing an immediate response, while laying the foundation for broader advocacy action.
"Getting Specific: Know Your Police Department," which guides activists in the right direction and identifies which steps and in what priority they must move to launch an advocacy agenda leading to police reform.
"Getting People Together and Making Your Case," which offers a comprehensive review of four advocacy strategies-organizing and coalition building, conducting research, working with the media, and harnessing the power of the Internet.
"Getting What You Want and Changing the Rules," which reviews the traditional avenues advocates can pursue in their agendas for change: the courts, the legislature, the ballot, and administrative agencies.
"Getting Started: Tips to Consider in Moving an Agenda," which describes a host of issues that must be weighed before launching an advocacy agenda.
Advocates and organizing networks will find the strategies and examples presented in Organized for Change a valuable addition to their efforts.
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