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After the anti-police brutality uprisings of 2020, Minneapolis was THIS close to replacing their police department in favor of a new public safety model. But advocates narrowly lost the vote.
That’s when an abolitionist community collective called Relationships Evolving Possibilities (REP) stepped in to show everyone that we don’t need to wait for the system to implement community-based changes.
“[L]et’s start figuring out how we love and support the community no matter what's going on,” REP decided – and they’re doing it with zero ties to law enforcement. But how?
REP has what are called “Radical Ecosystem Pods.” They’re essentially training a mutual aid network of neighbors, family, and more to support each other in crisis.
Instead of calling 911, many problems can be better solved through community-handled accountability and justice. But that’s not all!
They also have “Revolutionary Emergency Partners,” a hotline team you can dial to get support with conflict de-escalation, mental health crises, or even checking up on your kids if they’re home alone.
When cops have gotten involved in these things in the past, they’ve led to killings!
As much as they tell us otherwise, we don’t have to rely on the system to keep each other safe! Black people in this country have historically found creative ways to create public safety within our own communities without them.
Minneapolis REP is showing us it’s possible!