Part 2 of Community Control Over Public Safety

On September 16th DC Police shot and killed 31-year-old Jonathan Boruch allegedly after he charged at officers with knives. This reflects the same old issues but in a new day. Today both the DC and Federal governments are on hyperdrive passing and implementing policies that essentially intensify the repression of the Black working class, while the way forward largely gets lost. Community control over public safety is a long-term vision to transfer power, resources, and authority from the state to the people themselves. The capitalist state defines “safety” as policing, prisons, and surveillance to protect property, profit and to contain working class African (Black) people at large while maintaining our constant exploitation. True safety requires our communities to organize our own sustainable programs, councils, people’s assemblies, and defense forces to meet basic needs, resolve conflict, and protect the community.

Join Pan-African Community Action (PACA) for the next Assata Shakur Study Group on how building community control of public safety is a strategic step toward dual power — the capacity of oppressed people to govern ourselves through collective self-determination and mass participation. This is not simply about reform. It is about building power: the ability of our communities to decide for ourselves what safety means, and to construct institutions that can one day shift power into the hands of African people.

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided!

This is a hybrid event with an option to participate online**. Select the appropriate option when you register. If you select the option to participate on Zoom, an access link will be emailed to you on the day of the event.