Defund NPD Condemns City Council Vote

To Mayor Fuller, The City Council, and the entire Newton Community,

Defund NPD condemns the 16-8 vote against the $375,462 in cuts to the FY21 Newton Police Department budget proposed at last night’s city council meeting. In the last few weeks hundreds of Newton residents emailed and called their city councilors to express their passionate belief that cutting and reallocating funds from the police department is the only viable way forward to ensure the safety of our community, especially for Newton’s Black and Brown residents. We are incredibly saddened that sixteen councilors did not support our cause, particularly after hearing from so many of their constituents. Although tonight many councilors rejected the resolution on the basis of not wanting to “punish” the police, we wonder why a similar sentiment was not expressed when making cuts to the parks or laying off 100 educators. Over the past few days, hundreds have emailed, called, and met with their councilors to make their voices heard and demand that Newton reimagine what community safety looks like, and our demands will not end with this vote.

Despite our disappointment about last night’s outcome, we still have tangible victories to celebrate. It is because of pressure from Defund NPD supporters that the library’s Sunday hours have been restored, that the forthcoming review of the police department is under great public scrutiny, and that a third of the city council advocated for significant cuts tonight.

Going forward, we will do everything in our power to make sure the review of the police department results in significant change and that our movement is not swept under the rug. We are in it for the long haul and will hold the city government accountable for making sweeping systemic changes in the FY22 budget.

Love and solidarity,

Defund NPD

Sign our demands for the Mayor's task force: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSect-3GUly_EJDSV_tN5nPi8nl-2BMIrn2khovSVdzMtzBbVg/viewform