US: Black Lives Matter group wants DC police defunded

An executive order signed by President Donald Trump on policing that encourages better police practices and establishes a database to keep track of officers with excessive use-of-force complaints does not go far enough to make all communities feel safe, according to two organizations that have rallied steps from the White House -- Black Lives Matter DC and the Black Youth Project 100.

Following weeks of national protests since the death of George Floyd, President Donald Trump's executive order signed Tuesday establishes a database that tracks police officers who garner complaints about excessive use of force in their records. It also establishes a national credentialing system that would give police departments a financial incentive to adopt best practices.

Members behind the Black Lives Matter and BYP 100 movement say, they'd rather see the D.C. Council divest from the Metropolitan Police Department completely over time.

"We know that there is massive investment in the system that is terrorizing Black and brown people and a massive disinvestment in things we actually do need: Health care, fresh foods, trauma informed resources, nurses and enough teachers and schools," Naiya Speight-Leggett says. "So when we say defund MPD and divest from the Metropolitan Police Department, the core part of that is also investing in what people need."

Speight-Leggett says BYP100 is a national member-based organization dedicated to creating justice and freedom for all Black people.

The D.C. Council is considering a budget that includes an $18.5 million increase to MPD. Community organizers say they'd rather see the council invest those funds to expansion of community-led violence interruption programs that are independent of law enforcement.

"I encourage people to really engage and to really push their imagination," Speight-Leggett says. "What does it feel like to be safe?"