People Against Our Police State

People Against Our Police State
Name	People Against Our Police State
Formation	2010s
Type	Activist group
Headquarters	United States
Region served	United States
Leader title	Founders
Leader name	Civil liberties advocates

People Against Our Police State is an American grassroots activist coalition opposing police practices perceived as abusive, militarized, or violating civil liberties. The coalition emerged amid national debates involving high-profile incidents such as the 2014 Ferguson unrest, 2012 Trayvon Martin protests, and legislative responses like the USA PATRIOT Act, mobilizing networks of civil rights organizations, community groups, and legal advocates. It situates itself alongside movements and institutions including Black Lives Matter, American Civil Liberties Union, and Human Rights Watch, engaging in litigation, public demonstrations, and policy campaigns.

Background and Founding

Founded in the mid-2010s by a loose federation of activists from diverse sectors, the group coalesced after incidents linked to the Ferguson unrest, the 2014 Eric Garner protests, and the 2015 Baltimore protests. Founders included community organizers with ties to organizations such as ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Color of Change, Southern Poverty Law Center, and labor activists with connections to Service Employees International Union and Amalgamated Transit Union. The network drew inspiration from historical campaigns led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., organizations including Students for a Democratic Society, and policy critiques from scholars associated with Harvard University, Columbia University School of Law, and Brookings Institution.

Mission and Goals

The coalition's stated mission focuses on ending what it describes as militarized policing and expanding civilian oversight. Its goals often include advocating for legislation similar in intent to measures debated in state legislatures such as the California Assembly, federal proposals considered in the United States Congress, and municipal reforms enacted by city councils in places like New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The group frequently aligns with legal strategies used by entities such as NAACP Legal Defense Fund, pushes for oversight models resembling those discussed by United Nations Human Rights Council experts, and supports data transparency initiatives advocated by organizations like Brennan Center for Justice and Open Society Foundations.

Notable Activities and Campaigns

Campaigns have included protests at sites associated with incidents like Michael Brown shooting locations, vigils referencing the Trayvon Martin case, and demonstrations timed with events such as the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention. The coalition organized national days of action in solidarity with movements including Black Lives Matter and coordinated with advocacy partners like Amnesty International USA and Campaign Zero to promote policy platforms. It has staged civil disobedience at facilities tied to programs modeled on the 1033 program (United States) and opposed surveillance partnerships exemplified by collaborations between municipal police and tech firms like Palantir Technologies and Axon Enterprise, Inc..

Organizational Structure and Funding

Operating as a decentralized network rather than a single incorporated nonprofit, the coalition resembled affinity-based formations seen in movements like Occupy Wall Street and Delegation Network. Local chapters maintained autonomy while coordinating through coalitions similar to those used by MoveOn.org Civic Action and Working Families Party. Funding sources ranged from grassroots donations via platforms such as ActBlue and private grants from philanthropic institutions including Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and regional community foundations. Legal defense funds and support often flowed through established entities like Legal Aid Society and the National Lawyers Guild.

Public Reception and Controversies

Public reactions split along lines echoed in coverage involving groups such as Black Lives Matter and entities like Fraternal Order of Police. Supporters included civil rights leaders affiliated with NAACP and faith-based coalitions connected to Interfaith Alliance, while critics included elected officials from city administrations and law enforcement unions who cited public safety concerns and referenced incidents involving protesters in the aftermath of the 2016 United States presidential election. Controversies involved debates over tactics compared to those used by ACT UP and Earth Liberation Front, disputes about funding transparency similar to controversies surrounding Democracy Alliance, and allegations of external influence drawing comparisons to scrutiny faced by MoveOn.org Political Action.

Legal Actions and Impact on Policy

The coalition participated in litigation strategies akin to cases brought by the ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense Fund, filing amicus briefs in federal courts and supporting civil suits invoking constitutional claims litigated in venues like the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. Its advocacy contributed to municipal reforms such as revamped use-of-force policies in cities like Portland, Oregon, the adoption of body-worn camera programs in municipalities modeled on pilot projects in Seattle and Boston, and state-level bills debated in legislatures including the New York State Assembly and the California State Legislature. Outcomes mirrored incremental policy shifts seen after litigation by organizations like Public Counsel and settlements negotiated with municipal defendants.

Media Coverage and Advocacy Strategies

The coalition used coordinated media strategies drawing on tactics employed by organizations such as Center for Media and Democracy, leveraging social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, and crowd-sourcing channels popularized during the Arab Spring and Occupy movement. Coverage appeared across outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, The Guardian (U.S. edition), and independent platforms such as Democracy Now! and Mother Jones. Advocacy combined research and policy briefs produced in collaboration with think tanks such as Brennan Center for Justice and Urban Institute, community organizing models from ACORN and legal mobilization comparable to efforts by the Equal Justice Initiative.

Category:Civil rights organizations in the United States