We're asking you to send a letter in endorsement of the call from grassroots activists in Memphis, Milwaukee, and Cleveland to Congress and the White House, demanding "Say no to 100,000 new cops in the Infrastructure Bill." We are asking both groups and individuals to sign, and for all to share this request within their networks and communities.

Grassroots organizations in these three American cities have come together to oppose Senator Josh Hawley’s Amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution (AKA the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion “Human Infrastructure” plan) to include billions for the COPS Office Hiring Program (CHP), intended to finance employment of 100,000 new local police officers across the United States. We ask that you add your voices to their call in a united stand against this unnecessary and unsafe spending.

About the bill

The Senate Budget Resolution was adopted by the House on August 23rd. It sets forth a blueprint for sorely needed services not addressed by the Senate’s $1 trillion “Bi-Partisan” Infrastructure bill. These include an array of vital measures to address climate change, and to fund health care, child care, family leave, public education, social services, and jobs. The plan would fulfill some of President Biden’s most important commitments as laid out in his “Jobs and Families” plan, as well as his immigration reform proposals. These are the kinds of resources that can increase public safety and help us to build vibrant, thriving neighborhoods.

Unforunately Senator Hawley included a trojan horse in this important bill: an amendment calling for grants that would bring 100,000 new police to communities. It passed 95-3 (No votes from: Sens. Bernie Sanders, Pat Toomey, and Mike Lee).

Congressional Democrats are now striding towards the most ambitious expansion of essential governmental services in many decades, but if Senator Hawley’s amendment is adopted by the House, they would also position themselves in support of the largest allocation of federal dollars for expanding local police departments in history.

The serious problems that have arisen in our communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the distressing increase in violence, will not be solved by more police. Residents in Cleveland, Memphis and Milwaukee saw first-hand the many harms that resulted in 2020, when the Trump administration targeted them with huge grants from the COPS office to enable their police departments to hire additional police.

Both Houses of Congress have begun the process of writing the federal budget legislation with the goal of sending both the “Bi-Partisan” infrastructure bill and the Democrats’ “Human Infrastructure” to the White House for President Biden’s signature at the same time. The House is poised to complete work on their bill by September 15th. We will accept signatures until then but ask that individuals and organizations sign by September 8th so that the letter may be sent for timely consideration.

About the letter

By adding your information here, you'll be taken to a form letter that will go to the co-sponsors of the bill.

Please sign for your organization if you have the capacity or have reached consensus/vote to make this decision on behalf of your group. Please include your location or write "national" if your scope is national.

Please sign as an individual if you are signing for yourself - you may put your title and organizations if you like. Just write n/a if not.

We ask that you sign by September 8th so that the letters will be received in time for due consideration before the bill language is finalized.

Next steps

We will be promoting the asks of this letter, and the letter itself, through webinar/public education, social media campaigns, email blasts, and meetings with leaders.

Please send comments or questions to FedsOutNational@gmail.com