On March 26 2021, Jedi, a Black autistic 7 year old boy and his mother, Chioma, had the police called on them after he kept removing his mask on his school bus. Jedi didn't need the presence of the police, he simply needed care and support. This traumatizing incident reflects the reality that so many Black, Ingenious and young people of color face everyday on our transit, in schools and in communities. Elected officials, DCPS and OSSE have failed to put the proper protocols in place and keep students of all ages safe. They have failed to make appropriate investments to meet the needs of youth of color, homeless youth and/or students with disabilities, especially as it relates to serving autistic students and those with mental health conditions.  Instead they have relied on unnecessary and harmful police presence to address and often escalate matters that are not criminal. This is why in SY 2019, 100% of school based arrest were of students of color, nearly a third were students of color with disabilities. When disabled young people need accommodations, when young people of color demonstrate normal childhood behavior,  or exhibit responses to trauma; they do not need police, they need care.

We The Motherhood, Black Swan Academy, Harriet's Wildest Dreams and so many others demand the full divestment and reallocation of funds from school police to care based professionals and resources.

We call on YOU to take individual action now by taking this pledge committing to Care NOT Cops.