As people took to the streets in late May to protest the killing of George Floyd and police violence against black lives, protestors in many cities were met with armored vehicles, drone surveillance, and police in full-body riot gear. For decades, local police have become increasingly militarized through the “1033 program”, a program of the Pentagon that has transferred over $7.4 billion dollars of surplus military equipment since the program began in 1990.
Given that the U.S. maintains the world’s largest military budget by far, there is little surprise that so much excess is available to be given away. The type of surplus equipment transferred to police includes high-caliber munitions, silencers, grenade launchers, MRAPs (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles), tanks, and aircraft – all of which seem unnecessary and even contrary to the mission to “protect and serve” our communities. In addition to the psychological impact that such shows of force have on communities, studies show that the arming of police results in higher rates of violence by police as they take on a mindset of war instead of protection.
The time has come to reform, and ultimately end, this program. In the current National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) being debated in the Senate, Senators Schatz, Murkowski, Harris, and Paul have introduced an amendment that would demilitarize law enforcement by prohibiting certain types of military equipment from being transferred. The amendment would also restore accountability and transparency to the 1033 program through public accounting and documentation of what equipment has been transferred, and to where.
Urge your senators today to support this amendment (S.Amdt.2252) in the National Defense Authorization Act. Weapons of war in the hands of our police have not made us safer; they have led to more police violence and fear in our communities. We know that far more needs to happen to end the violence inflicted by the police on our Black siblings – and taking steps to demilitarize the police is one step in the right direction.
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