Racial Justice Seeker Session,  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86427086126.  Peace & Social Outreach Committee is offering this opportunity for New Haven Friends to consider the recent calls by local activists to ‘defund the police’.  Carl Testa will serve as facilitator and begin with 15 minutes of silent worship to consider a list of “queries”/questions (list attached).  Attendees will then be asked to explore With the queries in mind, can you imagine a "police-free" future?  As proposals move forward at the local and state level, does the Meeting have a position to share?  Below under Resources are several background resources.

RESOURCES for SEEKER SESSION

• American Friends Service Committee statement at https://www.afsc.org/defundpolice

• MPD150 is an independent organization that conducted an 150-year performance review of the Minneapolis Police Department in 2017. Their recommendation at the conclusion of the review was that the PD should be disbanded. https://www.mpd150.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/MPD150-FAQ-Text.pdf

• From Critical Resistance on Reformist Reforms versus Abolitionist Reforms: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59ead8f9692ebee25b72f17f/t/5b65cd58758d46d34254f22c/1533398363539/CR_NoCops_reform_vs_abolition_CRside.pdf

• Complicated story of the Camden Police Dept rebuild https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/12/camden-policing-reforms-313750