Color of Change PAC Announces "No Cash From Cops" Campaign to Cut Ties From the Fraternal Order of Police

Today, amid worldwide protests against police violence, Color Of Change PAC announced "No Cash From Cops", a national digital campaign demanding elected officials cut ties with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). The campaign calls on local, state, and federal officials to refuse or return political donations from an organization that has excused, defended, and encouraged police violence for decades.

Today's announcement comes as elected officials, policy experts, civil rights advocates, and a range of voices across the political spectrum call for divesting from local police departments and investing in community-based public safety solutions.

Rashad Robinson, spokesperson for Color Of Change PAC, said: "Right now, the Fraternal Order of Police represents one of the most dangerous threats against the movement to protect Black lives. Time and time again, this group has proven that its blind loyalty to officers outweighs its desire to see justice in cases of police violence, abuse, and misconduct. It's more concerned with shielding police from the consequences of illegal behavior than it is with promoting the safety and welfare of the American public. This organization jumped to the defense of officers in the slayings of Philando Castile, Laquan McDonald, Tamir Rice, and countless others and continues to defend their actions. Now, in a rash of killings of more Black men and women, it's shown that it's willing to do it again.

"We are launching this campaign because elected officials need to sever ties with the Fraternal Order of Police and its toxic tradition of prioritizing officers' reputations over Black lives. This group has thrown its weight behind contracts and policies that stonewall reform and help even the most violent officers escape accountability. It's time for our elected leaders to distance themselves from this archaic, problematic group and begin taking steps to defund the police, reinvest in communities, and end the deadly scourge of police violence."

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) said: "Police unions like the Fraternal Order of Police are blocking meaningful reforms that seek to end the long history of indiscriminate killing and mistreatment of Black people by police officers across America. It is time to hold police officers who use excessive force accountable. Sadly, the FOP is more interested in preserving the climate of impunity than it is in serving and protecting the community. The time is now for legislation that seeks to end tragic killings like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner and so many more."

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05) said: "As a proud former union member, I know firsthand how important unions are in uplifting people and creating fairer workplaces. The kind of protection that police unions have fought for is one I don't believe is in lockstep with what the rest of the unions fight for. The ability to function with impunity and cause harm to the community is not one that should be protected."

State Senator Marko Liias (WA-27) said: "I'm proud to stand with people across Washington and all over the country demanding an end to police brutality and systemic racism. I am returning the one police contribution I have received and joining Color of Change, the Movement for Black Lives, and allied organizations to call on all candidates to refuse contributions from police unions. Only through real reform in law enforcement and by addressing economic, housing and education inequities can we achieve long overdue change."

No Cash From Cops draws attention to the role of the FOP in protecting violent officers, glorifying police abuse, and evading accountability for police killings of unarmed Black people. The campaign encourages the public to sign an online petition demanding that local, state, and federal representatives cut financial ties with the FOP. It also calls on elected leaders to sign a pledge to return and refuse political donations from the organization, and act independently without conflicts of interest or undue influence from police unions and others determined to stand in the way of justice. A full list of signatories, including local, state, and federal elected officials, is available on the campaign website.

This launch follows recent actions by Color Of Change to promote fairness, safety, and accountability in the justice system, including almost six million demands for justice in the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, who were murdered by police violence in recent weeks. Earlier this year, Color Of Change issued a comprehensive list of national demands to end the war of Black lives.