Chicago, IL – The November 8 midterm election is important around the country, as the seemingly formidable reactionary wave in electoral politics continues. In general, the task in most states is to defeat the most reactionary and backwards candidates.

Los Angeles, CA – On October 27, Centro CSO hosted a community forum dubbed the “Barrio Townhall” at the Boyle Heights neighborhood City Hall. The event called on November 8 voters to support Dr. Rocio Rivas for Los Angeles Unified School District School Board District 2, and to vote “yes” on Measure A, which would bring more accountability to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

Tampa, FL – More than 20 Tampa residents gave public comment at the Tampa City Hall, November 1 about the city council’s voting to put subpoena power on the March ballot, which would give the now toothless civilian review board (CRB) power to subpoena the police. Tampa Bay Community Action Committee (TBCAC) held a press conference in front of the city hall, on Sunday October 30, in support of subpoena power and to publicize the upcoming city council vote.

Civilian oversight of El Paso County Sheriff’s Department needed

Colorado Springs, CO – On Tuesday, October 25, community members and activists with the Colorado Springs People’s Coalition attended the El Paso County Commissioners board meeting to demand civilian oversight of the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center. The call for civilian oversight came after the death of 18-year-old Dezarae Archuleta in El Paso County Jail, the eighth person to die in custody this year. The event was co-sponsored by the Chinook Center and the Democratic Socialists of America.

Milwaukee, WI – On October 26, the Justice for Brieon Green Coalition descended upon the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office to demand transparency around the case of Brieon Green. Members of the coalition rallied and picketed outside of the building since sheriff deputies closed the entrance as soon as the crowd gathered. Wednesday’s event also marked four months since Green’s death while being held in Milwaukee County Jail.

Milwaukee, WI – On October 22, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and members of the Lucille Berrien Park community came together to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the park’s renaming. Although Berrien herself wasn’t able to join the celebration, two of her grandchildren were able to attend and offer beautiful memories of growing up with Berrien and being taught by her to be strong women committed to justice.

Denver, CO – On Monday, October 24, community members gathered at the Denver City Council Building to make their voices heard regarding Denver’s public budget for 2023. Mayor Michael Hancock seeks to spend almost 37% of the city budget on Public Safety. Though this is a slightly smaller percentage of the budget than last year, the proposed plan will spend an additional $45 million on Public Safety as compared to 2022.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Los Angeles-based Centro CSO

New York, NY – Around two dozen organizers and community members gathered in front of New York City Hall, the office of Mayor Eric Adams, to host a No Cops in Power rally.

Milwaukee, WI – On October 13, dozens of community members, including organizers, concerned community members, and the family of Brieon Green gathered to officially launch the Justice for Brieon Green Coalition. The coalition will serve as the organizing body for leading the work around Green’s case and is built around the following points of unity: Justice for Brieon Green; full transparency now; 24/48 now, and CPAC now.

New Orleans, LA – On October 11, at 9 a.m., protesters attended Gerry Paul’s arraignment. Paul, 29, is an active-duty police officer charged with second-degree rape. Protesters in the courtroom wore red, turned their backs on Paul when he pled “not guilty,” and held signs saying “Jail Gerry!” They then organized a rally outside the Orleans Criminal Courthouse.

New York City, NY – Mayor Eric Adams’ candidacy and then victory in 2021 was the perfect establishment response to the 2020 uprising: electing someone who is both African American and a former police officer. Adams was a founder of the organization 100 Black Men in Law Enforcement Who Care, an advocacy group that focuses on the relationship between Black men and the NYPD, including addressing problems such as racial profiling and police brutality. With this history, it seemed as if Adams would be ready to “take on” the NYPD and their pattern of violence against Black and other communities in New York City. So far, his time as mayor has shown that he not only wants to maintain the status quo of policing, he is advocating plans that will lead to more police crimes.

New York City, NY – Mayor Eric Adams’ candidacy and then victory in 2021 was the perfect establishment response to the 2020 uprising: electing someone who is both African American and a former police officer. Adams was a founder of the organization 100 Black Men in Law Enforcement Who Care, an advocacy group that focuses on the relationship between Black men and the NYPD, including addressing problems such as racial profiling and police brutality. With this history, it seemed as if Adams would be ready to “take on” the NYPD and their pattern of violence against Black and other communities in New York City. So far, his time as mayor has shown that he not only wants to maintain the status quo of policing, he is advocating plans that will lead to more police crimes.

New York City, NY – Mayor Eric Adams’ candidacy and then victory in 2021 was the perfect establishment response to the 2020 uprising: electing someone who is both African American and a former police officer. Adams was a founder of the organization 100 Black Men in Law Enforcement Who Care, an advocacy group that focuses on the relationship between Black men and the NYPD, including addressing problems such as racial profiling and police brutality. With this history, it seemed as if Adams would be ready to “take on” the NYPD and their pattern of violence against Black and other communities in New York City. So far, his time as mayor has shown that he not only wants to maintain the status quo of policing, he is advocating plans that will lead to more police crimes.

Milwaukee, WI – On Monday, October 3, more than 30 people rallied and marched into the Common Council Chambers of City Hall to voice their disapproval of Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s budget proposal and demand a budget that reflects the needs of the people of Milwaukee.

Chicago, IL – The first meeting of the Interim Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) took place on the evening of Thursday September 29 at Malcolm X College. The meeting was attended by almost 200 people, most of who were members or supporters of the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) coalition. The CCPSA introduced itself to the community, set up committees to do its work, and elected Anthony Driver and Oswaldo Gomez as its president and vice president. The public comments were filled with support for the CCPSA and demands that the mayor and city council give the Interim Commission the staff and budget necessary to transform the city’s public safety system.

Milwaukee, WI – On Thursday, September 22, members of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression attended the Fire and Police Commission (FPC) Policies and Standards Committee Meeting. The Milwaukee Alliance leaders were there to voice their disapproval of the memorandum the FPC is circulating. This memorandum calls for the creation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding the release of video footage of critical incidents.

Los Angeles, CA – More than 50 community members gathered the morning of September 24 at Belvedere Park in East LA. The family of Leonel Chávez called for and organized the event to commemorate the upcoming one-year anniversary of the California Highway Patrol’s stealing Chávez’s life.

Tallahassee, FL – On Wednesday, September 21, the Tallahassee Community Action Committee, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Florida State’s Students for a Democratic Society attended the Tallahassee city commission meeting at City Hall to speak on the approval of the upcoming year’s city budget.

Milwaukee, WI – On September 24, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression confronted the Milwaukee Police Department at the third of 15 community listening sessions. As with the first two sessions, the third had abysmal attendance.