Minneapolis’ City Council members on Sunday announced a veto-proof push to disband the Minneapolis police department and replace the office with what members have said will be a new model of public safety, The New York Times reports.
Other U.S. cities are considering defunding local police departments. The measure has been the main focus for many people protesting against police brutality.
According to The Times, nine of the Minneapolis City Council’s 13 members made the pledge on Sunday, telling the newspaper that they plan to work with the local community to develop the new system to protect the community from police abuse. The changes decided upon as a result of the process are reportedly expected to be adopted in the coming weeks.
The city council members spoke at a protest at Powderhorn Park, a neighborhood in Minneapolis. The number of supporters in attendance represented a veto-proof majority to push the measure through, according to the New York Times.
KARE listed Council President Lisa Bender, VP Andrea Jenkins and Councilmembers Alondra Cano, Jeremiah Ellison, Steve Fletcher, Phillipe Cunningham, Cam Gordon and Jeremy Schroeder as attending the event, most of whom took turns to address the gathered crowd.
“Our commitment is to end our city’s toxic relationship with the Minneapolis Police Department,” Bender said. “It is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe. Our efforts at incremental reform have failed, period.”
The Minneapolis Police Department did not immediately respond to a Daily Boulder’s request for comment.
