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The cities that are already defunding the police

In the aftermath of the protests over the killing of George Floyd, city leaders are calling to cut law enforcement budgets or reallocate funds in at least 19 U.S. cities, according to Local Progress, which pushes for racial and economic justice and is tracking the issue in real-time.

The Cities Taking Up Calls to Defund the Police

Minneapolis councilmembers took a remarkable step in pledging to reimagine public safety. Other cities are heeding demands to reduce police resources.

Minneapolis lawmakers vow to disband police department in historic move

City council members declare intent to ‘abolish’ embattled agency and replace with alternative model in wake of George Floyd’s killing.

Local Progress Applauds Minneapolis Community and City Council Members for Historical Step in Reimagining Public Safety

“Transforming this system will not happen overnight. This is just the beginning — but it will undoubtedly lead to long-lasting change.”

How Cities Offload the Cost of Police Brutality

Local Progress Condemns Trump’s Threats to Deploy Military Against Protests

In response to President Trump’s remarks threatening to deploy the US military in cities and states, Local Progress released the following statement.

Local Leaders to Congress: Credit Cards Aren’t a Housing Strategy

Denver, Seattle, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Louisville, Philadelphia, Hartford, and San Francisco.

New Reform/Transform report analyzes police policy and budgets in Oak Park, IL

A new report released by Freedom to Thrive Oak Park and Local Progress highlights the need to reimagine budgeting in Oak Park amid the coronavirus crisis.

Local Progress Reacts to Lack of State and Local Funding in $484 Billion Coronavirus Aid Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC — In response to the announcement that the Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan deal for additional coronavirus aid.

City Leaders Rally Around a Fix: Cancel the Rent

To prevent a housing disaster, leaders in nine U.S. cities called on state and federal officials to give more support to tenants as the COVID-19 crisis deepens.

RELEASE: 100+ Elected Officials Call on Congress and Federal Reserve for Financial Relief

100+ Local and State Elected Officials Call on Congress and Federal Reserve for Financial Relief to All Cities, States, and Territories.

Leading with equity in your coronavirus response

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Local Progress is a movement of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. We are elected leaders who build power with underrepresented communities and fight to reshape what is possible in our localities all across the country. 

Want to get in touch with us for a story? Reach us at press@localprogress.org.

In The News

At Local Progress, we seek to make the aspirational pragmatic by showing how government can be a tool to create just and equitable outcomes and reshaping peoples’ understanding of governing from an institution to a collective responsibility. Here are some highlights of our media coverage:

East Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, against blue sky and clouds. Photo: Tada Images via Shutterstock

Hundreds of State Officials Oppose Anti-Sanctuary City Act

Nearly 400 state and local electeds nationwide sent a letter to Congress today urging them to vote NO on HR 32 – a dangerous bill that would strip our communities of essential funding simply for undertaking reasonable policies that make all of us safer.
Photograph of the San Fransisco skyline. Photograph Source: Raydann

Social Housing Emerging in Cities Needs Local Govt Support

Local Progress founding board chair Nick Licata makes the case for local governments to support social housing.
Advocates demonstrate outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on April 22, 2024, during oral arguments for the Grants Pass homelessness case. Aparna Raj/ Local Progress/Handout via Thomson Reuters Foundation

Ahead of Trump term, U.S. cities grapple with homelessness

While the Trump administration plans to accelerate encampment sweeps, cities are ready to support people experiencing homelessness with dignity. LP leaders make the case for housing over jail time or fines.
Gayle McLaughlin speaking at a podium.

Left Politics in California: An Interview with Gayle McLaughlin

An interview with Richmond City Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin about her work to hold polluters accountable.

press Releases

A large group standing around while one person speaks at a podium.

Road To Good Cause Campaign Scores 11 Victories Across Upstate New York

The coordinated campaign of local officials expand critical renter protections to thousands of tenants, setting their sights on Rochester next.

NEW REPORT: How Local Government Can Stand Up for Workers When States Try to Stand in Their Way

This new report for Labor Day 2024 highlights ways local elected officials can advance workers rights even when facing both hostile state preemption and federal labor law preemption.

How Localities Use Community Responder Programs to Keep People Safe

This new video from Local Progress and Local Progress Impact Lab focuses on three specific localities: Durham, Oakland, and Albuquerque to explain what community responder programs are, how they work, and why hundreds of localities are starting to adopt them.

After Grants Pass: organizing to house all our neighbors

In response to the Supreme Court's cruel decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson, we will continue to organize for housing for all.

Local Progress Condemns Cruel Supreme Court Decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson, Local Progress put out the following statement.