City to disband cops

Racism protests force politicians to take drastic police action

US cities have declared they will begin taking the extraordinary step to “dismantle” and “de-fund” their police forces to appease Black Lives Matter demonstrators in the wake of the ongoing protests following the death of George Floyd.

Minneapolis City Council announced its intention to disband the Minneapolis Police Department.

Nine of 12 councillors said they supported the move to replace it with “a new public safety model” – although there was little detail to go with the dramatic announcement.

New York City and Los Angeles also announced intentions to cut funding to their police departments, which will pit them against powerful and angry police unions.

“This council is going to dismantle this police department,” Minneapolis Councillor Jeremiah Ellison told a joyous group of protesters.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was humiliated when he refused to commit to disband the police force when asked at a protest rally. He was heckled and booed as he shuffled away from the rowdy mob.

US policing expert Charles Ramsey said he was disturbed by the developments.

“Will the public be safe? Criminals don’t go on holiday,” he said. “The Minneapolis Police Department needs reform. But throwing it out altogether without having some other plan in place seems hard to understand.”

New York ended its curfew and President Donald Trump withdrew troops from Washington DC as protests continued, but mostly peacefully.

There were fears the protests may spark another wave of COVID-19 across the world.

The White House infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci said he was dismayed by images of protesters linked arm in arm – many not wearing masks.

“I get very concerned, as do my colleagues in public health, when they see these kinds of crowds,” he said.