Defund the police

Quick Facts: Who was Defund the police?

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Defund the police

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A slogan advocating for reallocating public safety funds from policing to community support.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

In the United States, "defund the police" is a slogan advocating for reallocating funds from police departments to non-policing forms of public safety and community support initiatives, such as social services, youth programs, housing, education, healthcare, and other community resources. The goals of those using the slogan vary; some support modest budget reductions, while others advocate for full divestment as part of a broader effort to abolish contemporary policing systems. Proponents of defunding police departments argue that investing in community-based programs can more effectively address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, homelessness, and mental health conditions, thereby serving as a better deterrent. Police abolitionists propose replacing traditional police forces with alternative public safety models, emphasizing housing, employment, community health, education, and other social support systems. The "defund the police" slogan became common during the George Floyd protests starting in May 2020.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

According to J Wortham, the slogan was popularized by the Black Visions Collective shortly after the murder of George Floyd. Black Lives Matter (BLM), the Movement for Black Lives, and other activists have used the phrase to advocate for reallocating police budgets and delegating certain responsibilities to alternative organizations. In Black Reconstruction in America, first published in 1935, W. E. B. Du Bois wrote about "abolition-democracy", which advocated for the removal of institutions that were rooted in racist and repressive practices, including prisons, convict leasing, and white police forces. In the 1960s, activists such as Angela Davis advocated for the defunding or abolition of police departments. The 2017 book The End of Policing by Alex S. Vitale has been described as a guide for the defund movement.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The police defunding movement has faced criticism from sociologists and criminologists. In the United States, despite its association with left-wing and Democratic Party policies, politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties have opposed the concept, sometimes advocating instead to refund the police or defend the police. Republicans have sought to link Democrats to the movement during political campaigns. Public opinion in the United States has generally been mixed, with an August 2020 poll in Minneapolis revealing 73% support, while a May 2021 poll indicated 18% support and 58% opposition. A 2024 study found no evidence of significant police defunding in major U.S. cities following the George Floyd protests, while cities with higher Republican vote shares often increased police budgets.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1935: 1935 Milestone — In Black Reconstruction in America, first published in 1935, W.
2. 2017: 2017 Milestone — The 2017 book The End of Policing by Alex S.
3. 2020: 2020 Milestone — The "defund the police" slogan became common during the George Floyd protests starting in May 2020.
4. 2024: 2024 Milestone — A 2024 study found no evidence of significant police defunding in major U.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Defund the police

True or False: “The 'defund the police' movement successfully achieved substantial, permanent policy changes across major U.S. cities following the George Floyd protests.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): A 2024 study found no evidence of significant police defunding in major U.S. cities after the protests, and the movement has struggled to achieve clear policy goals.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Adam West — Historical peer (Died in 2017) (2017): American actor best known for portraying Batman in the 1960s and extensive voice work.
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• Abdelaziz Bouteflika — Historical peer (Died in 2021) (2021): Algerian politician who served as the seventh President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
• Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud — Historical peer (Died in 2024) (2024): Somaliland politician, served as President from 2010 to 2017.
• Akira Toriyama — Historical peer (Died in 2024) (2024): Pioneering manga artist, creator of Dr. Slump and the global phenomenon, Dragon Ball.

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