Abolishing police departments. This is the most extreme proposal in response to police misconduct: disbanding police departments in favor of different public safety models. The Minneapolis City Council voted in June to go this route, saying the problems that contributed to George Floyd’s death are too deeply ingrained to reform the existing department. For most Americans, the idea of abolishing the police goes too far: 15% overall say they support it, with Black Americans (22%) and Hispanic Americans (20%) somewhat more likely than White Americans (12%) to do so. Almost no Republicans (1%) support the idea, versus 27% of Democrats and 12% of independents. However, there is also a sharp distinction between younger and older adults on this question; one-third of those younger than 35 (33%) support the idea, compared with 16% of those aged 35 to 49 and 4% of those aged 50 and older.
That’s heavily influenced by the aforementioned “it’s cops or crime running amok” false narrative that establishment politicians and cop mouthpieces such as the NYT and most other mainstream media outlets spread ad nauseaum.
If ACAB isn’t a popular opinion, why would 88% of people say that significant changes are needed? Do you think it’s the uniforms they take offense to? The cars?
Or maybe they understandably think that the people murdering them with impunity are bastards.
That policing needs to be reformed and ACAB are not synonymous statements to most people. Regardless of whether it’s because of a false narrative (and I agree with you on the matter), it’s not currently a majority opinion, and treating it like it is is a serious strategic mistake.
That’s insane to me, not saying you’re lying or wrong, but the only people I know who don’t believe ACAB are folks over 55 and those closely connected to the cops in their personal lives but even the latter isn’t a monolith. I for sure haven’t met a young person that wasn’t at least of the ‘fuck the police’ mindset since 2020
From your own source:
ACAB is not the majority opinion, quite clearly.
That’s heavily influenced by the aforementioned “it’s cops or crime running amok” false narrative that establishment politicians and cop mouthpieces such as the NYT and most other mainstream media outlets spread ad nauseaum.
If ACAB isn’t a popular opinion, why would 88% of people say that significant changes are needed? Do you think it’s the uniforms they take offense to? The cars?
Or maybe they understandably think that the people murdering them with impunity are bastards.
That policing needs to be reformed and ACAB are not synonymous statements to most people. Regardless of whether it’s because of a false narrative (and I agree with you on the matter), it’s not currently a majority opinion, and treating it like it is is a serious strategic mistake.
I know many folks who want reform of policing and realize there are deep problems with them. I don’t know anyone who believes ACAB.
Purely anecdotal, but it makes it easier to believe that you are correct and it’s not a vast majority of people who believe that.
That’s insane to me, not saying you’re lying or wrong, but the only people I know who don’t believe ACAB are folks over 55 and those closely connected to the cops in their personal lives but even the latter isn’t a monolith. I for sure haven’t met a young person that wasn’t at least of the ‘fuck the police’ mindset since 2020