During this seminar, we will explore exactly what the demand “Defund the Police” means, envision what a world without police could look like, and devise practicals steps to take to to defund police in our communities. Similar to a crash course in prison abolition, students will leave with a historical analysis of policing and critical analysis of the movement to abolish policing. -----------------------------Disclaimer: Please note that this class does not represent the views of Columbia University or Columbia University Educational Outreach.

This course will closely follow the curriculum guide produced by Education Liberation in Minneapolis in coordination with the "Enough is Enough" Police Report from MPD150. We will examine the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests against policing through the lens of activists and community organizers on the ground. First, we will examine where we have been, exploring the general historical context of the United States and the local historical context of Minneapolis. We will then examine the contemporary relationship between Minneapolis residents and the police. We will end looking toward the future and deal with the question of defunding the police.