For the second weekend in a row, the “Caravan for Care, Not Cops” cruised through Athens Saturday evening in support of the 50/10 Plan to Reimagine Public Safety in ACC.
Proposed by commissioners Mariah Parker and Tim Denson, the plan calls for a gradual reduction of 50 percent of Athens-Clarke County police officers. Over 10 years, the plan would reallocate ACCPD funding to other community resources, such as unarmed mental health professionals, social workers and restorative justice mediators, among other measures.
Saturday’s caravan ended in front of city hall, with protestors blocking off the street for over an hour to protest police brutality and show support for the 50/10 plan.
ACC commissioners will vote on the budget for the upcoming year, which could include the 50/10 proposal, on June 25. The plan, which is backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, brought out many supporters and some opponents last Tuesday, when the commission heard hours of public comment from local residents prior to a commission meeting.
Commissioner Melissa Link has proposed her own version of the 50/10 plan, which also includes elements of a budget proposal put forward by commissioners Mike Hamby and Ovita Thornton.
Protestors encouraged those in support of the plan to contact their county commissioners via bit.ly/DIVESTANDINVEST.
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