Elorza Refuses To Comment on “Defund Police” Movement, Says He Supports “8 Can’t Wait” Campaign

Elorza Refuses To Comment on “Defund Police” Movement, Says He Supports “8 Can’t Wait” Campaign

As the Providence City Council is scheduled Thursday to hold a hearing an effort to “defund police,” Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza told GoLocal that he supports the #8CantWait campaign — an effort to reform police policies including duty to intervene, ban shooting at moving vehicles, and ban chokeholds and strangleholds.

Elorza did not, however, respond to whether he supports the defund police movement -- or not. 

The national #8CantWait group recently issued an apology, in light of the calls to defund policy. 

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"While we are proud of the impact we were able to make, we at Campaign Zero acknowledge that, even with the best of intentions, the #8CANTWAIT campaign unintentionally detracted from efforts of fellow organizers invested in paradigmatic shifts that are newly possible in this moment. For this we apologize wholeheartedly, and without reservation," wrote the group on their page. 

“We are living through a unique moment and I want to make sure that we will not let it pass without bringing about real, structural change. We have committed to the "8CantWait" campaign and to the Obama Foundation pledge to Review, Engage, Report, and Reform our policies,” said Elorza in a statement to GoLocal.

This week, Human Rights Watch called #8CantWait -- and the mayors who support it -- superficial. 

“The #8CantWait policing program is so superficial as to be meaningless,” said John Raphling, US criminal legal system researcher at Human Rights Watch. “It allows mayors and police chiefs to say they’re doing something without actually making the changes that are needed.”

According to the #8CantWait website, Providence is not listed among dozens of cities to search to reviews their policing policies.

“In addition, while the FY21 budget I presented in April is before the Providence City Council for review, my administration is currently exploring reallocating resources to best respond to our community needs. I look forward to continuing to engage with the community and finding ways to adopt policies that address structural racism and make us a stronger, more resilient city,” said Elorza.

Providence City Council to Discuss Defunding

On Thursday the Finance committee is scheduled to discuss a “defund police" proposal being supported by City Council members Kat Kerwin (Ward 12) and Rachel Miller (Ward 13).

Also scheduled to attend the hearing are Steven Pare, Commissioner Department of Public Safety; Colonel Hugh Clements, Jr. of the Police Department; Lawrence Mancini, Chief Financial Officer Finance Department, and Sara Silveria, Director Finance Department.

On Sunday Kerwin Tweeted that she stands with the Minneapolis City Council members who are pushing to defund the police department and calls for the Providence to defunding of the police department in Providence.

"Today, #Minneapolis announced plans to defund the police+invest in community led intervention. I stand w @lisabendermpls @jeremiah4north @CunninghamMPLS @FletcherMpls @MplsWard9 @annapoetic @CameronAGordon @jeremyschroeder @CMAndrewJohnson. Providence, let’s make it happen," tweeted Kerwin.