Activists around the region have been protesting to defund D.C.'s police budget, remove cops from schools, and redirect money to neighborhood and community programs.
While more sit in vigils are planned at Freedom Plaza today, the D.C. Council will debate the mayor’s proposed budget for the fiscal 2021 year inside the Wilson building for a second straight day.
It includes $578 million for the police, which would be a 3.3 percent increase.
Because of COVID-19, some of this committee hearing is forced to be virtual.
More than 15,000 written, phone, and video budget public testimonials were sent in.
The chair of the D.C police union testified on behalf of more than 3,600 police officers. Currently, 66 percent of the union’s members are minorities. The union believes emergency legislation passed unanimously by the District’s city council last week will harm the hiring, retention, and attrition of officers.
A committee vote is set for June 25. The full council will take the first vote sometime next month.