Courtesy. Professionalism. Respect. That is what CPR stood for when the New York City Police Department rolled out a public relations campaign in the mid-1990′s. The PR campaign was a response to growing protests and attention against a police force that was more violent and more racist by the day. The late mid-1990′s up until 2011 saw a rise in stop and frisks against young men of color. It also saw a rise in officers acting with impunity in neighborhoods of color, harassing, abusing, and killing. Amadou Diallo, Anthony Rosario, Yong Xin Huang are just three of the names from a long list of young men of color killed by the police. Prosecutors across the boroughs, with their long history of working alongside the NYPD, failed to bring justice to the families of the dead who followed then Mayor Giuliani and Police Chief Bratton with photographs of their own disappeared. In response people took to the streets, blocked bridges and the entrances to government buildings, and there were hearings held on the local, national, and international level.

Seems like now we are in the same place again in NYC. Stop and Frisks are at record numbers and again it is people of color who are stopped the most often. Since 1997, when the New York City Department took over school safety, over 90 percent of the young people arrested in the halls of learning are Latino or Black. We are seeing a rise in killings of unarmed people of color, most recently 18 year old Ramarley Graham in the Bronx. The difference between now and the late 1990′s however is that now the level of police surveillance is up. Watchtowers stand on street corners. Mobile command centers park outside supermarkets. The NYPD most recently had to come out about spying on Muslim communities inside the city and even in New Jersey. These tactics done in the name of “national security” are the new broken windows and Giuliani time has expanded under Bloomberg’s all seeing eyes.

Many of the answers proposed to counter the threat that the NYPD pose aren’t new. City council person Jumaane Williams from Brooklyn wants police officers to give their card to every one they stop and frisk. There was a proposal in the 90′s that was similar in that it asked that officers give a paper document explaining to people why they were stopped and frisked. That proposal didn’t go anywhere and I doubt that the current proposal will go anywhere either. It seems the only union that Bloomberg seems to respect (fear?) is the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA). There are renewed calls for a special prosecutor for when police shootings end with criminal charges against the police. It is a worthy demand but without intervention from Governor Cuomo and the state Attorney General, we will continue with police not being prosecuted.

This week, a coalition of organizations who have been on the front lines of fighting police violence in NYC since the 1990′s, launched a campaign demanding police reform (their word, not mine). Communities United for Police Reform seek to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment.

This week they are holding a series of events in order to step up their commitment to resist police violence. Please read below to see the list of events being held throughout the five boroughs.

While I am concerned by the language of reform and I doubt that the NYPD can change if we don’t change the way we define safety and justice in our communities, the orgs involved have a solid track record of excellent, real work throughout the city and what we do need in the city is more activity. As a mother, I don’t need to hear about how young people of color are treated poorly by the police from the news or from organizations. I hear it daily from my high school age daughter, who is assumed a criminal from the moment she passes her school doors and has to go through metal detectors, get frisked and watch police take out her schoolmates in handcuffs. I know the lessons my child is supposed to getting from her teachers and I also know the lessons and expectations the NYPD are giving her.

CPR’s Week of Action starts February 26: Stepping Up Resistance to Police Violence

MONDAY 2/27, 6:30pm – 8:30pm (@ The Point, 940 Garrison Ave, Hunts Point, BRONX)

Calling on the Bronx & all New Yorkers to Watch the Cops: Free hands-on Cop Watch training to learn more about your rights and get tips on how to educate your community and prevent police abuse. RSVP required. For more info, to request childcare, or to register, contact Peoples Justice: info@peoplesjustice.org

TUESDAY 2/28, 4pm – 7pm (@ Make the Road New York, 301 Grove Street, BROOKLYN)

Youth Open Mic on Police Violence. For more info, contact Make the Road NY/Youth Power Project: Jose, 646.496.3469 or Jose.Lopez@maketheroadny.org

WEDNESDAY, 2/29, 12 noon (@ City Hall Steps, MANHATTAN)

Communities united for Police Reform (CPR) press conference on City Hall steps to end discriminatory policing by the NYPD. For more info: justice@changethenypd.org

WEDNESDAY, 2/29, all day (@ throughout the city)

Stand with CPR. Whether you can join us on the steps of City Hall or not, wear your Cop Watch t-shirt. If you don’t have one, pick one up at the Sunday 2/26 or Monday 2/27 events.

THURSDAY 3/1, 10am – 4pm (@1399 Lafayette Ave., BRONX)

Help paint a Know Your Rights Mural. Work with artists to help with the underpainting of a new Know Your Rights Mural. For more info, contact yulsan.liem@gmail.com.

THURSDAY 3/1, 6:30pm – 9pm (@ Audre Lorde Project, 147 W. 24 St., 3rd floor, MANHATTAN)

Know Your Rights Training for lesbian, gay, bisexual, two spirit, transgender, and gender non-conforming people of color. RSVP required. For more info, contact Audre Lorde Project: Irma, 212-463-0342, ext. 17 or ibajar@alp.org

FRIDAY 3/2, 6:30pm – 8:30pm (@MS35, 272 McDonough Street, BROOKLYN)

Cop Watch Training. For more info, contact Malcolm X Grassroots Movement: info@mxgm.org