Protesters oppose proposed $43 million budget increase for the Phoenix Police Department
Protesters oppose Phoenix Police Department $43 million budget increase proposal
Protesters outside of Phoenix City Hall on Tuesday say they don t agree with the more than $40 million proposed budget increase for the police department.
PHOENIX - Protesters gathered outside of
Phoenix City Hall on Tuesday night during a meeting echoing similar calls heard around the nation when it comes to police budget reform.
They want to see money going to the Phoenix Police Department diverted to other community resources.
During the rally, speakers took turns voicing their opposition to the proposed budget that would give the department a $43 million increase.
Activists call to defund Phoenix police as roughly $43M budget increase nears vote Jamie Landers, Arizona Republic
About 150 people gathered Tuesday evening in downtown Phoenix to protest the proposed budget increase of nearly $43 million for the Phoenix Police Department.
The rally, hosted by Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro, Poder In Action, Semillas Arizona and the Phoenix Local Organizing Committee, among others, took place outside the Phoenix City Council chambers as council members sat inside discussing the budget proposal for fiscal year 2022.
A budget proposal included in the City Council agenda for Tuesday shows Phoenix police was given a budget of $743,792,000 for 2020-2021, while their proposed budget for 2021-2022 is $786,708,000, a 5.8% increase.
About 150 people gathered Tuesday evening in downtown Phoenix to protest the proposed budget increase of nearly $43 million for the Phoenix Police Department.
The rally, hosted by Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro, Poder In Action, Semillas Arizona and the Phoenix Local Organizing Committee, among others, took place outside the Phoenix City Council chambers as council members sat inside discussing the budget proposal for fiscal year 2022.
A budget proposal included in the City Council agenda for Tuesday shows Phoenix police was given a budget of $743,792,000 for 2020-2021, while their proposed budget for 2021-2022 is $786,708,000, a 5.8% increase.
The proposal also includes an additional $3.7 million allotted to new programs and positions in the Police Department alongside new police reform measures.
With the dawn of a new year and administration, local civil advocacy groups say they plan on kickstarting 2021 with pressure on lawmakers to address racial inequality, increase police oversight and enact other measures that would protect underserved communities.
Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro, Poder In Action and the W.E. Rising Project hosted many of the largest protests against police last year. The Arizona Republic interviewed leaders from each who outlined their respective goals and priorities for the new year many of which were intertwined.
Reallocate money from police budget to social programs
Chants to “defund the police” echoed across the streets of American cities after the police