GRIID 2022 Winter Class: The Function of Policing in the US and how we can work towards a world Without Police

In this 8-week class, we will explore the history of policing in the United States, its role in maintaining structural racism and how it has been used to suppress social movements.

We will also look at more contemporary dynamics with policing, investigating the notion of community policing, the practice of counter-insurgency by police departments, and the bi-partisan support for increased funding for policing.

Lastly, we will look at the movement to defund the police, using numerous writings from activists coming out of the abolitionist tradition, a discussion about the Movement for Black Lives Defund the Police toolkit and several other recent reports that challenge the dominant narrative that society needs police and that they keep us safe.

This will be a great opportunity to develop critical thinking skills and respond to all those liberal memes, like this one.

This class will take place on Monday evenings, from 6:30 – 8:30pm, beginning on Monday, January 17. The class will be held for 8 consecutive weeks, ending on Monday, March 8.

GRIID is asking for a $25 suggested donation for the class and will be re-directly the funds raised to groups working on defunding the GRPD. However, you will not be turned away if you can’t contribute financially.

If you are interested in signing up, please send an e-mail to jsmith@griid.org. There will be a 15 person limit for the class, which will be conducted virtually.