Summer is here! We want to send a special congratulations to all the recent graduates, including our very own intern Avery, who you'll hear more about in a moment. We hope you're finding ways to enjoy the sun, and stay safe with your loved ones.
We also know that summer in Chicago is when the tale of two cities becomes most pronounced, as some enjoy the good weather with trips to the beaches and parks, and far too many fear the streets because of the increase in gun violence that comes with more people outside - made worse by the pandemic. Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the young Black mothers killed in a recent mass shooting in Englewood. We work to see a world where this kind of violence is unimaginable, and communities have what they need to be safe and thrive.
In this newsletter you'll meet our #DefundPolice interns Karla and Avery, hear from our former intern and anti-militarist young Black organizer Destiny Harris, get some tools and resources from the #NoCopACademy campaign's recent toolkit launch, and hear from our Program Director Mary Zerkel about mutual aid..
Meet the Interns
This spring and summer we’ve been thrilled to have two youth interns working with us to help us expand our work to divest from policing and invest in communities instead. Last month they organized our first arts bus pop up, in collaboration with Grassroots Collaborative and Chicagoans United for Equity, educating other youth about the budget in Chicago and how to fight for more resources! Last week they were on AFSC's Facebook Live to share more about what they've been up to this Spring and Summer.
"My name is Karla De Jesus and I am a youth organizer from the Pilsen community. I have been organizing for over five years in my community, tackling issues that I see as root causes for the harm that is present in my community. These issues range from gentrification to the over-policing of Black and brown students in Chicago Public Schools. Much of my experience has been influenced by the overfunding of the Chicago Police Department.
"I am a Defund the Police Intern for AFSC because I believe that my role in defunding the Chicago Police Department is engaging other young people around the City of Chicago and making sure that they know that they have a huge role in making this a possibility. Alongside Debbie and Avery, I hope to plant a seed in our communities that feed into the growing movement to Defund CPD that is spearheaded by Black abolitionists in the city. I hope that everyone reading this will join us in making this a possibility."
"Hi I'm Avery Sims, current senior at George Westinghouse College Prep in East Garfield Park. I am an artist and abolitionist who was radicalized by their peers and environment. I was born and raised on the West side of the city. I have seen many changes come to my immediate community and the surrounding area. Being from this community, I know this area needs help, and when I heard we'd be doing events with an emphasis on building community on the West Side through AFSC, I jumped at the opportunity. That is why I am with this organization today."
Community Safety Beyond Policing
Former AFSC intern Destiny Harris (Dissenters, #NoCopAcademy) just published Policing and Militarism Go Hand in Hand. We Need to Abolish Both in Truthout. Of the weapons transfers between police departments and militaries, she writes:
"This equipment funds the type of raids that killed Breonna Taylor, it funds teargas being used against Black people in Kenosha and Minneapolis, it funds the batons the Chicago Police Department uses to beat youth in the streets, it funds the water cannons used at Backwater Bridge at Standing Rock. It funds the murder of millions at the hands of policing, war, militarism, colonialism and imperialism. It is a never-ending cycle of violence."
Destiny was also part of a panel on the latest AFSC Community Safety Beyond Policing webinar on Stopping Police Militarization. Watch her in discussion with Oakland organizers Ericson Amaya (67 Sueños), Lara Kiswani (Arab Resource Organizing Committee), and James Burch (Anti Police Terror Project).
#NoCopAcademy Toolkit Release
At the end of May, alumni of #NoCopAcademy hosted a virtual toolkit release party to share tools from our organizing. Watch the release party if you're curious how it went, or see below for the new resources! Download, share and make sure young people interested in activism and youth workers in your life know these exist.
Share this recent Block Club Chicago coverage to help spread the word.
Documentary Trailer
A full-length documentary by Soapbox Productions and Organizing is in the works. In the meantime, this trailer tells the story of #NoCopAcademy in four power-packed minutes.
Organizing Toolkit
How did a small group of youth of Color build power that influenced local elections, and changed the ways Chicagoans talk about safety? Learn more.
Campaign Timeline
Hundreds and thousands of people took action in support of #NoCopAcademy across the city and event the continent. Check out the testimonials and get inspired on how to plan your own actions. View more.
Ever catch yourself at a protest without a good chant? We've got you covered. From #NoCopAcademy to #DefundPolice and beyond. There's even a sample chant playlist to download. Listen here.
On the Airwaves
Is mutual aid now in the mainstream?: In this podcast, our very own Mary Zerkel and other organizers discuss the rise in mutual aid networks during the pandemic and how these efforts can build solidarity and movements for social change. (WILL/Illinois Public Media)