TOPSHOT - A woman holds a Black Lives Matter flag during an event in remembrance of George Floyd and to call for justice for those who lost loved ones to the police violence outside the Minnesota State Capitol on May 24, 2021 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Photo: KEREM YUCEL/AFP via Getty Images
Members of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation have met with members of the Biden administration to express their frustrations regarding the lack of police reform at the federal level. Among other criticisms, members of the foundation expressed outrage after police budgets were increased in the nation's two largest cities, New York and Los Angeles. Not to mention, the often talked about George Floyd Justice In Policing Act still has not made its way through Congress.
“Leaders from Black Lives Matter met with White House officials earlier this year to discuss our policy agenda, and while we appreciate the chance to talk with them, we are surprised by their lack of progress on issues that matter to Black people, the same communities that so strongly supported Biden-Harris during last year’s election,” members of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation told CNBC.
The Biden administration has currently found itself in the middle of two important issues regarding policing. The President has openly supported the passing of the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act. At the same time, there has been an uptick in gun violence around the country that has prompted the Biden administration to supply local police departments with $350 million in stimulus funds to combat gun violence. However, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation feels that the Biden administration can prioritize other issues such as police brutality, education and healthcare while also stifling gun violence.
“And now we see the President arguing for increased spending on police rather than investing in housing, education, climate preparedness and healthcare,” the foundation explained.
“This is no time to return to the dangerous days of the tough-on-crime fear-mongering of the 1990s when more cops were placed in our neighborhoods, rather than services that improve lives and keep Black communities safe.”
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