Last week was a devasting moment for our communities with THREE painful not guilty verdicts in the murders of Philando Castile, Samuel Dubose and Sylville Smith. The horrible reality is that cops can kill Black people and get away with it. One major way to fight back against that is to stop the stronghold of police unions. In FOUR days, the employment contract for Chicago police officers is set to expire.  It gives us a huge opportunity — standing together, we can ensure that the City of Chicago refuses any new contract that puts police officers above the law.

Police unions like Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) use their contracts to prevent any accountability for officers who prey on our communities, as we saw with the killing of Laquan McDonald and the coverup that followed, and in similar cases in Chicago and around the country. But we have a chance to demand better, and if enough of us speak out, we’ll win.

We have only a few days. Join us NOW in calling on members of the Chicago City Council to reject any contract that puts police above the law.

Why do cops keep getting away with murder? One of the biggest obstacles to accountability are the employment contracts negotiated by police unions that help cops lie and cover up their crimes, essentially putting them above the law.

These contracts require a “cooling off” period before cops have to give a statement to investigators, giving them time to construct a story and coordinate it with other officers. If they’re caught in a lie, they’re allowed to “revise” their statements without consequences. Even when prosecutors are serious about holding police accountable, these rules in their contracts make it very hard to build a case against cops who break the law.

Police unions have made sure these outrageous contracts are the status quo in most places. But right now in Chicago, we have a big opportunity to challenge the power of the police union and change the rules.

The city is in contract negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police, whose contract expires June 30th. The city council will need to approve any agreement reached between the FOP and the city, and a big part of the council (including the entire Black caucus) has already committed to vote against any new contract that continues to put police above the law – thanks to incredible organizing work from the BlackRoots Alliance and other groups in Chicago.

Now, we need to increase the pressure on the rest of the council to make sure we have the votes to block any contract that doesn’t contain key reforms that will prevent police from operating with impunity.

Tell Chicago city council members to oppose any new contract that puts police above the law.

Until justice is real,

Rashad, Arisha, Scott, Anay, Clarise, Enchanta, Malaya, Katrese, and the rest of the Color Of Change team

References:

1. “Fraternal Order of Police: Is the tail wagging the dog?,” Chicago Defender, 06-01-2016 https://act.colorofchange.org/go/8090?t=9&akid=7652.1174326.xmywLJ

   The next generation of voters is rising.

We’re motivated. We’re informed. We’re progressive. And we will soon become the largest group of eligible voters in the nation.

Young people overwhelmingly support progressive policies — from fighting climate change by transitioning to 100 percent clean energy, to providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, to preserving access to affordable health care.

NextGen Rising will educate young Americans on where candidates stand on these issues, connecting their everyday lives with the political process — and ultimately paving the way for progressive wins at the ballot box.

What’s next

We’ve hired field staff in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and California — and we’ll be expanding to Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada in the coming months. We’ll work on campuses and in communities to equip young people with the hard skills and winning strategies they need to be effective organizers in the age of Trump.

Ready to get involved?

Sign up to receive updates from NextGen Rising.
We’ll send you updates on what we’re doing in the field, hiring announcements, and other opportunities to engage.

Sign up to volunteer with our texting program.
Field organizing will be the heart of our youth program, but we are committed to reaching young people wherever they are — especially on their phones.

Help us spread the word.
We’re excited about this — and we hope you are, too!

Thanks,

Ben Wessel
Director
NextGen Rising

SHOCKING: Ten more elephants poisoned by poachers in Zimbabwe

This is beyond sickening, c. Greedy poachers are wiping these precious creatures off the face of the earth by the dozen.

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Mass poisoning has become the poachers’ favorite tool to exterminate elephants and steal their ivory. Sometimes as many as ONE HUNDRED elephants are poisoned at once — left to die in agony before their tusks are hacked from their bodies.

This level of cruelty is simply unspeakable.

• 06/21/2017 – Inslee calls third special session
• 06/21/2017 – Governor, foster care advocates make push for new children and family department
• 06/20/2017 – Inslee announces interim director for state Health Care Authority
• 06/15/2017 – West Coast states accept invitation to 2017 U.N. climate convention in Germany
• 06/14/2017 – Inslee statement on shooting in Virginia
• 06/09/2017 – Inslee statement on GOP efforts to sabotage and destabilize health insurance markets
• 06/09/2017 – West Coast states encourage worldwide fight against ocean acidification
• 06/08/2017 – Inslee meets with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet
• 06/07/2017 – Inslee signs executive order to support safe testing and operation of autonomous vehicles
• 06/06/2017 – Inslee honors 21 state government managers for outstanding performance
• 06/05/2017 – United States Climate Alliance adds 10 new members to coalition committed to upholding the Paris Accord
• 06/02/2017 – State works to mitigate flood damage, restore fish habitats in Chehalis River basin
• 06/01/2017 – Washington state climate action: here’s what we’ve done so far.
• 06/01/2017 – Inslee, New York Governor Cuomo, and California Governor Brown announce formation of United States Climate Alliance
• 05/31/2017 – Inslee aims to connect kids directly to careers with new apprenticeship and education initiative
• 05/31/2017 – Inslee statement on Trump’s intention to remove U.S. from international climate agreement
• 05/31/2017 – Inslee aims to connect kids directly to careers with new apprenticeship and education initiative
• 05/25/2017 – Governor’s office launches fellowship to honor Ruth Woo
• 05/24/2017 – Inslee statement on CBO score for American Health Care Act
• 05/23/2017 – Inslee calls second special session
• 05/23/2017 – Inslee statement on Trump budget
• 05/19/2017 – Statement from Gov. Jay Inslee regarding potential leak at Hanford
• 05/19/2017 – Trade mission strengthens Washington state’s relationship with Mexico
• 05/19/2017 – Brown and Inslee call for increased federal Hanford funding
• 05/18/2017 – Inslee meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
• 05/17/2017 – Cross-laminated timber used in classroom-building project
• 05/16/2017 – Inslee signs law to help providers, cities, counties confront opioid crisis
• 05/16/2017 – Inslee signs tougher distracted driving and DUI laws in Tacoma
• 05/09/2017 – Inslee statement on today’s Hanford Nuclear Reservation tunnel breach
• 05/09/2017 – Agriculture and industry among top priorities for upcoming Washington trade delegation to Mexico
• 05/08/2017 – New teacher says state’s BEST mentorship program helped keep her in the profession
• 05/04/2017 – Inslee invites state employees to mark Public Service Recognition Week
• 05/04/2017 – Inslee statement on U.S. House of Representatives passage of legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act
• 05/03/2017 – Inslee among 12 governors urging Trump to keep U.S. in Paris Agreement
• 05/02/2017 – Inslee announces leadership changes at DSHS
• 05/01/2017 – Inslee statement on the passing of Gov. Mike Lowry