Abolish Quote by Jamaal Bowman
“Defund the police does not mean abolish the police. It means a dramatic reduction in the number of police in our poor communities and particularly our poor Black and Brown communities.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Congressional hearing, 2022
Defunding police means drastically reducing officers in disadvantaged areas, not eliminating law enforcement entirely.
In simple terms: Reduce police numbers in poor communities, not erase them.
Advocate for community‑based safety models.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban policy
- budget planning
- grassroots activism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can communities replace reduced police services?
- What alternatives ensure safety without police?
Implementation faces political resistance and funding challenges.