You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more
Supporters frame it as “cracking down on violent protests” or “protecting police” but all it does is distract from the undeniable and persistent issues surrounding racial injustice and police brutality that inspired this summer of peaceful protests in Nebraska and beyond.
Yes, systemic racism is a problem in Nebraska. That’s why Nebraskans who are Black, Latinx and Native are overrepresented in traffic stops, searches and arrests across Nebraska.
It’s why Black Nebraskans make up less than 12% of Douglas County’s population but 50% of the jail’s pretrial population – Nebraskans presumed innocent but unable to afford bail to go home.
It’s why Black Nebraskans are three times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession despite similar use. (Six times higher in Lancaster County and Sarpy County!)
Nebraskans across the political spectrum agree we can do better. We need to reimagine the role of police in our communities. We need to meet addiction and mental health problems with a public health response, not criminalization.
For many communities, the best way to get that done will be redirecting police resources to community-led programs that will keep us all safer.
The solution isn’t doubling down on mass incarceration, or disrupting Nebraska's tradition of local control over budget decisions. This isn’t a solution at all. It’s a gimmick with serious constitutional concerns.
The solution is acknowledging and dismantling institutional racism. It’s building up mental health support and economic opportunity.
So in closing - here’s our advice: don’t give this more energy or oxygen than it deserves months before the Nebraska Legislature reconvenes. We’re ready to fight this every inch of the way if it moves from a campaign stunt to actual legislation.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.
