Tagged as: occupy duluth

CUAPB - CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT Concerned About Minneapolis Police Brutality? Help Us! __________ As many people in the community are aware, Minneapolis police officers harass, beat, and even kill community members on a regular basis with impunity. The Star Tribune recently reported that out of 437 complaints against police officers in a year-long period, not one of the officers implicated had been punished. It is egregious enough that Minneapolitans, especially people of color, the homeless, and the poor, are being routinely harassed and beaten; but to make matters worse, when an officer is successfully sued for police brutality, it’s the taxpayers that pay for it. That’s right. When an officer is sued – sometimes in excess of $1 million in one case – the city automatically pays for these lawsuits out of the city’s general fund. This has amounted to $20 million of wasted taxpayer money in the past 7 years, in Minneapolis alone. In response to these myriad injustices, members of the Minneapolis group Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) banded together to form the Committee for Professional Policing (CfPP). CfPP’s first big undertaking is a charter amendment campaign to require police officers in Minneapolis to carry professional liability (malpractice) insurance. As previously mentioned, Minneapolis is currently self-indemnified, meaning that when an officer is successfully sued for brutality, the city automatically pays for the lawsuit and all court fees from the general fund. By requiring officers to carry professional liability insurance, the city will benefit from a risk management mechanism against brutality. In other words, an officer will face increased premiums on his/her insurance after each lawsuit. This will act as a deterrent to brutality, since the police will finally be held directly responsible. Moreover, after several repeat offenses, an officer will find him/herself uninsurable and no longer able to serve in Minneapolis. Under this model, the survivors and family members of victims of police brutality will still receive the compensation they deserve, while officers are being directly punished. READ MORE AND TAKE ACTION: https://www.paperrevolution.org/concerned-about-minneapolis-police-brutality-help-us/ ========== CUAPB - IN OUR THOUGHTS __________ It is with very deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of longtime friend and Communities United Against Police Brutality, Vice-President Darryl Robinson. His passing leaves a giant hole in our community and we are truly devastated. Darryl has been solely responsible for the safety of many people along Lake Street and at the homeless shelters downtown through daily copwatch. He has taught literally thousands of people how to advocate safely and effectively for themselves through know your rights training. Darryl represented CUAPB at conferences and events around the country and will be remembered by legions of friends and colleagues. He spent his last days being what he called himself-a freedom fighter: speaking out at the Crystal city council meeting, talking with UofM students with Students United Against Police Brutality and copwatching on Lake Street the night he died. Please keep an eye on the CUAPB page for their future announcement of a

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