Border Abolition 2021

ALT ABOLITION NOW We must be upfront about policing in this city and beyond. These forces, with this power, are a risk to life. In Manchester recently, we have seen public videos of officers pull a homeless person from their resting place, and stamp on them; throw protesters to the ground with no concern for their heads on the concrete; and now, whilst on the floor, kicking someone in the head and threatening people with tasers. This is what is captured on video, before we even come to what's not shared publicly: the majority of police violence. The videos we can't share because young people understandably want privacy, the videos we don't have. The everyday harm, the brutality that is so common for racialised communities, and in our context, for young people. We must understand that this violence occurs continuously. We know it, we work amongst it. As long as the police exist, our young people are at risk of being brutalised.

ALT ABOLITION NOW Years ago, after the Mayor allowed us and others to be kicked out of a public meeting in which organisers were challenging the police's power, we were told he said 'I believe some of those people don't even think we should have a police force'. It's true, we don't. Because we believe in what can be built long term in community if we divest. If money goes to community need, not community punishment. Abolition is not about destroying. It is about building, it is about healing, it is about justice. Abolition is about hope, it is about daring to dream. If you are horrified by what you have seen, we ask you to let that radicalise you. Use your horror to mobilise your hope, dreaming and drive for justice: for the sake of our children. Do one thing this week, read, listen, or watch something about abolition. We recommend Abolitionist Futures for a list of resources.