Tonight, the Council is voting on a proposal to prohibit MPD from procuring items through the 1033 Program. In this thread, I’ll share some relevant information and how to give public testimony.

If you are unfamiliar, the 1033 Program is how police departments access military-grade weaponry and supplies. It’s an arm of the military-industrial complex. https://meaww.com/1033-program-militarization-us-police-forces-landscape-law-enforcement

The proposal which Alder Kemble and I introduced, would completely sever the link between MPD & 1033. This language is “version 1” in legistar ( https://madison.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4607167&GUID=2044302A-84EF-4DCC-AF25-695AE6E0F731) However, our colleagues amended the proposal, which grants massive exceptions to MPD.

The amended language states that: (1) MPD can still procure lethal tools, (2) MPD can procure supplies under 50k without council approval first, and (3) MPD is only prohibited from procuring tear gas, bayonets, grenade launchers...

(cont.) grenades, explosives, armor-piercing firearms, and ammunition, tracked combat vehicles and weaponized drones.

I’ve pulled this item off the consent agenda and will be making a motion tonight to amend it to the original language.

“The Madison Police Department is prohibited from obtaining any property from the Defense Logistics Agency under the 1033 program.”

No loopholes.

You can give public testimony tonight by sending an email to [email protected]

OR you can register in support/opposition (with options to give public testimony or answer questions) with https://www.cityofmadison.com/MeetingRegistration
(1033 is Agenda Item #64)

This vote could be close, so be sure to share it widely! We need as many people as possible showing up to stand against the militarization of our police. This is only a minor first step towards liberation.