Reclaim the Block

Reclaim the Block is a grassroots organization founded in 2018 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.[1] The group organized protest and started petitions to pressure the Minneapolis City Council to divest money from the Minneapolis Police Department to be spent instead on subsidized housing, addiction resources, youth homelessness causes and crime prevention programs.[2][3][4] They also invest in these causes.[5] Instead of the police department, the group support community-based safety initiatives.[4]

Reclaim the Block
Formation2018
Typegrassroots

In some cases, the group has been partially successful in its lobbying for divestment of the police department's budget.[4][6] In December 2018, $1 million planned for the police department was instead allocated to violence prevention programs, including youth violence prevention programs and support for survivors of domestic violence. However, Reclaim the Block had advocated a $9 million divestment.[7]

After global protests beginning in late May 2020 following the killing of George Floyd, the Minneapolis City Council announced at a rally jointly held by Reclaim the Block and the Black Visions Collective their intent to disband the Minneapolis Police Department.[8] After a surge in donations, the Minnesota Freedom Fund recommended Reclaim the Block on June 2, 2020 as an alternate organization to donate to.[9]

References
  1. "Here's how you can support the fight against systemic racism, inequality and police brutality". DJ Mag. June 3, 2020. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  2. Jones, Hannah (June 4, 2020). "Minneapolis City Council members consider disbanding the police". City Pages. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  3. Vigoda, Rachel (June 3, 2020). "Seven Causes the Philly Restaurant Community Is Supporting During the Protests". Eater. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  4. Stuart, Tessa (June 3, 2020). "A Practical Guide to Defunding the Police". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  5. Epstein, Rachel (June 1, 2020). "George Floyd Was Murdered. We Must Not Be Silent—Here's How to Help". Marie Claire. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  6. Garcia, Isabella (January 9, 2020). "Minneapolis Activists Ask Local Leaders to Invest in Communities, Not Cops". Yes! Magazine. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  7. Jones, Hannah (December 4, 2018). "Minneapolis Police Department budget cut by $1M to fund public safety programs instead". City Pages. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  8. Ewart, Asia (June 9, 2020). "What Minneapolis Will Look Like After They Abolish Their Police Department". Refinery29. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  9. Fagenson, Zachary (June 4, 2020). "Minnesota Freedom Fund: What to Know About the Organization That Raised $20 Million Amid George Floyd Protests". Complex. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.

Further reading
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