Group calls for defunding of Hamilton police in wake of anti-Black racism protests
Coalition also asking for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board to remove school resource officers
A coalition of Black and racialized activists are calling on the city’s leadership to defund the Hamilton Police Service for what they say is “state sanctioned” anti-Black racism that continues to be a threat in the community.
It was one of several demands made by the local organizers through a stream of videos on Twitter,
broadcasted live from institutions across Hamilton on Tuesday — including city hall, police headquarters and the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board office.
The Hamilton organizers borrowed the Twitter account of Black Lives Matter — Toronto, which boasts more than 28,000 followers, to “amplify” their message.
In addition to defunding the police, the group is calling on the end of ticketing and surveilling homeless and disabled people, the halt of weapons purchases for police and a freeze on all hiring of constables.
They’re asking that the funds spent on policing — budgeted at roughly $172 million for 2020 — be redirected to initiatives such as food security, housing and anti-racism strategies.
The calls come in light of recent events in the U.S. and Canada, such as the death of George Floyd, who died after a police officer knelt on him for nearly nine minutes straight in Minneapolis, and Regis Korchinski-Paquet, who died after falling from her Toronto highrise balcony in the presence of police officers.
Her death is currently under investigation by the province’s Special Investigations Unit, while Floyd’s death has been a rallying point for widespread protests across the United States and around the globe.
“We are here because police continue to murder Black and Indigenous people. We are here because state sanctioned anti-Blackness continues to be a threat,” stated an online letter that lists the demands.
“Because Black and Indigenous people are not safe in cities, including the city of Hamilton.”
Speaking on Wednesday, co-organizer Gachi Issa said the demands are a continuation of abolition work of racialized folks.
Co-organizer Ruby Hye said the group hopes to see “collective decision-making, more connected communities and the stopping of violence” if any — or all — are met.
“It’s (about) creating a safer environment for us,” said Issa.
In a statement to The Hamilton Spectator, spokesperson Jackie Penman said the Hamilton Police Service remains “committed to growing with, and learning from, all of our communities.”
“We know we are not perfect and there is much work to do. We appreciate the issues raised by Black Lives Matter and look forward to engaging in an open and transparent dialogue,” said Penman.
In a statement Wednesday, Mayor
Fred Eisenberger said he will continue to “reflect on what I, as an individual, can do to work better together with our Black-led community organizations.”
Eisenberger, chair of the Police Services Board, added that he is continuing “conversations on how we can continue to serve and protect all members of our city equitably and respectfully.”
Ameil Joseph, a member of AfricanCaribbean Faculty Association of McMaster University, said the community must become “better listeners,” given the demands issued Tuesday.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the coalition’s letter had more than 900 online signatures, according to Issa.
“We are here today to simply say that words are not enough, we demand action,” said one of the organizers during the livestream. “At the end of the day, everyone is putting out statements and everyone is giving their piece, but no one is putting concrete actions behind those words.”
Removal of in-school officers
The group has also called on the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board to remove school resource officers — constables assigned to work at high schools — and to fund a “public review of police violence that occurred in their schools.”
They also called for HWDSB to “collect and release data that documents the disciplinary action against students by race and gender,” and “implement a community-run alternative to disciplinary action based on the principles of restorative justice.”
In a statement, HWDSB board chair Alex Johnstone said “the community brought forward many areas that will better serve Black students and families. So much of this work has already started in our Equity Action Plan and includes the development of an anti-Black racism procedure.”
An update on that plan is expected later this month, she added.
“We are committed to looking within our organization and seeking the advice of community partners to bring about change.
‘We can always do more,” said Johnstone.