Defund BosCops: What Do We Want for Boston?

We will hear from three Boston leaders about the struggle to shift funds from the Boston police to nonviolent community programs.

Alex Ponte-Capellan is an activist whose experiences with police led him to organize for change. He is Political Director at the Young Democrats of Massachusetts Latino Caucus, Community Organizer at City Life/Vida Urbana, and a Founder of Boston Young Abolitionists (2012). He will discuss the demand to Defund the Police, specify some programs to end now and share the long term view to abolition.

District 5 City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo is a former public defender who witnessed the real impacts on communities caused by lack of opportunity, inequity and injustice. As a public defender he saw firsthand how the lack of opportunity, inequity, and the marginalization of individuals ravaged lives. He has seen the cost to our communities when we do not see or hear those most in need. He is one of five Councilors who voted no on Mayor Walsh’s budget on June 24 because it did not cut enough from the Police.

Mallory Hanora is the Executive Director of Families for Justice as Healing, an Roxbury based organization working to end the incarceration of women and girls. Through their organizing work, formerly incarcerated women join the movement toward creating community wellness alternatives to incarceration that heals and rebuilds families and their communities.

Register to attend. We look forward to an informative exchange among presenters and participants!

Part of a series on Antiracism and Peace sponsored by the Racial Justice/ Decolonization Working Group of Massachusetts Peace Action

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvduGtqDsuEtKQuseelH17mmKCUa1SByVR

#antiracism #racialjustice #peace #defundpolice #policeaccountability