Abolition for the People: The Movement for a Future Without Policing & Prisons

A manifesto called "Abolition for the People" was edited by activist and former San Francisco 49ers super bowl quarterback Colin Kaepernick and calls for a society without prisons and policing. It includes thirty essays from a variety of perspectives, arguing that the only political future worth building is one without and beyond police and prisons. The book provides a blueprint and vision for creating an abolitionist future, grounded in love, justice, and accountability.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2021
Publisher: Melcher Media

A manifesto titled "Abolition for the People," edited by activist and former San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl quarterback Colin Kaepernick, advocates for a society beyond prisons and policing. This comprehensive collection comprises thirty essays, showcasing a range of perspectives from political prisoners, grassroots organizers, scholars, and families affected by anti-Black terrorism perpetuated by policing and prisons. Kaepernick poses a crucial question in his introduction: "Will you continue to be actively complicit in the perpetuation of these systems, or will you take action to dismantle them for the benefit of a just future?"

Driven by unwavering hope and boundless imagination, "Abolition for the People" offers a roadmap and vision for building an abolitionist future where communities can experience safety, value, and genuine freedom. Kaepernick asserts, "Another world is possible," envisioning a society rooted in love, justice, and accountability, where safety and good health prevail, and the needs of the people are met.

However, the intricacies of abolitionist concepts and the magnitude of the task at hand may feel overwhelming. To assist readers on their journey toward a deeper understanding, each essay in the collection is accompanied by a readers' guide that provides additional provocations on the subject. For those new to these ideas, questions such as whether the abolition of the prison industrial complex is too drastic or if complete eradication of prisons and policing is feasible may arise. Author and organizer Mariame Kaba offers a straightforward response: "We can. We must. We are."

"Abolition for the People" begins by delving into the lethal anti-Black histories of policing and incarceration in the United States, juxtaposing the present moment with the 19th-century abolitionist movement. The essays explore the systemic racism, police brutality, and mass incarceration that have plagued communities of color for centuries, highlighting the urgent need for transformative change.

Through powerful narratives and insightful analysis, the authors call for the dismantling of the carceral state, the abolition of the death penalty, and the investment in community-based solutions that prioritize rehabilitation, healing, and justice. They advocate for the recognition of Black humanity, the decriminalization of drug use and prostitution, and the dismantling of systems of oppression that perpetuate inequality and violence.

"Abolition for the People" serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of those who have been marginalized and oppressed. It encourages readers to join the movement for abolition and to work towards creating a world where every person is valued, respected, and free from the shackles of systemic injustice.

Weight: 650g
Dimension: 161 x 235 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781595911162