Campaign Zero
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These are the 10 key police reformations #BlackLivesMatter has laid out in their new manifesto release. After a long process of conversations, ideas, suggestions, debates, social commentary and deliberation, these are the core desires the BLM movement is seeking to accomplish.

  1. Ending “broken windows” policing, which aggressively polices minor crimes in an attempt to stop larger ones.
  2. Using community oversight for misconduct rather than having police decide what consequences officers face.
  3. Making standards for reporting police use of deadly force.
  4. Independently investigating and prosecuting police misconduct.
  5. Having the racial makeup of police departments reflect the communities they serve.
  6. Requiring officers to wear body cameras.
  7. Providing more training for police officers.
  8. Ending for-profit policing practices.
  9. Ending the police use of military equipment.
  10. Implementing police union contracts that hold officers accountable for misconduct.

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While recieving endless droves of negative reaction (racial backlash, threats and social/media attacks ) among certain parts of the population, they have managed to forge ahead and grow their movement. Gaining support and footing in communities across the country. As we see protests spreading with larger crowds. Especially in the wake of recent killing in June and July. As well as the attack on police I n Dallas.

Media outlets and opposing groups have made relentless attempts to propagate a false image and concept of what BLM represents and wishes to achieve. But as most who have taken the time to see for themselves, visit a meeting, participate in dialogue, visited their website for a deeper look, realize that their goals benefit the entire civilian community.

Being portrayed as “cop haters” and “race baiters”, their mission has always been to take a hard line against the systemic issue of police brutality, which happens to heavily impact the African American community. But it’s not just the African American community suffering the effects of police use of force and lethal force. Caucasions, Hispanics and Native Ameircans also endure police brutality.

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In the wake of the Dallas tragedy, there have been attempts to associate the suspect with BLM when he in fact was not a part of the movement, and apparently was upset at their peaceful approach to the problem. Killing cops has no place or support from or in the fundamental core of BLM.

There are those who have coined the #AllLivesMatter as a counter fight against the BLM movement. Accusing BLM of being a hate group. Claiming that BLM is racist against Caucasions or hate all cops, which is just not based in reality. While blatantly ignoring the long standing facts and statistics supporting the issues of police brutality. And perhaps ignoring the reality the the movement consists of all races. People who recognize the problem and seek to change it.

I mean lets be honest and real, if an individual is using #AllLivesMatter but neglects to recognize and speak against police brutality, then it would suggest it’s a false use and motivated out of spite. Because if all lives in fact do matter, than one would still be moved to acknowledge that police brutality is a problem and want to fix the problem.

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Does the manifesto ask too much? Is it not a rational and fair list of changes that benefit civilians? Straight forward, justifiable, intelligent, logical and potentially effective approach to police reform, no? Could this not be a good foot forward in the way of balancing the scales, mending our communities and strengthening relations between police & civilians?

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