Elected Leaders in Minneapolis and Other Cities Call for "Defunding Police"

In the wake of the in-custody death of George Floyd—as well as the deaths of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery in recent weeks—some lawmakers are seeking to disband the police departments in their cities.

According to USA Today , nine members of the Minneapolis City Council committed to a "veto-proof" piece of legislation that would dismantle the city's police department. The council members announced their position Sunday from the stage at a rally organized by black activists in response to the May 25 killing of George Floyd

The motion is a clear beak from Mayor Jacob Frey's desire to make changes to the department but not break up the embattled police force entirely.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti vowed to cut as much as $150 million that was part of a planned increase in the police department’s budget, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday that the city would move funding from the NYPD to youth initiatives and social services

Lawmakers argue that the funds they would take away from police budgets would be redirected at increased social services that would respond to drug overdoses, individuals experiencing mental health crises, and address issues related to homelessness.

Police leaders across the country have voiced criticism of the plans to "de-fund" their agencies.