No More Police: A Case for Abolition

Mariame Kaba and Andrea J. Ritchie's book "No More Police" is a powerful call to action that outlines the failures of contemporary police reforms and explores demands to defund police, divest from policing, and invest in community resources to create greater safety.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2022
Publisher: The New Press

No More Police: A Persuasive Primer on Police Abolition from Two Veteran Organizers

Mariame Kaba, a renowned advocate, organizer, and political educator, has collaborated with attorney and organizer Andrea J. Ritchie in a groundbreaking book that challenges the conventional notion of policing and advocates for its abolition. In their compelling call to action, the authors shed light on the pervasive harm caused by policing, highlighting its inability to prevent violence rather than addressing its root causes. They critically examine the numerous failures of contemporary police reforms and propose alternative approaches to create greater safety. Through a Black feminist lens, the book explores demands to defund police, divest from policing, and invest in community resources to foster a more equitable and just society.

The book centers the experiences of survivors of state, interpersonal, and community-based violence, emphasizing the importance of their voices and perspectives. It showcases uprisings, campaigns, and community-based projects that have driven the movement for police abolition. No More Police serves as a comprehensive handbook, providing practical guidance and strategies for organizing and advocating for change. It encourages readers to shift away from systems that perpetrate violence in the name of ending it and towards a world where violence is the exception, and safe, well-resourced, and thriving communities are the rule.

By examining the historical roots of policing, the authors expose the systemic racism, classism, and patriarchy that underlie its practices. They argue that the disproportionate enforcement of laws and the use of force against marginalized communities are not only unethical but also contribute to the perpetuation of violence. Through their advocacy, Kaba and Ritchie propose a vision of a world where community-based solutions, such as mental health support, education, and community policing, are prioritized to address the root causes of violence.

The book also challenges the notion that police are necessary to maintain public safety. It highlights the historical and contemporary evidence that shows policing does not reduce crime rates and, in fact, can exacerbate social tensions and harm. Instead, the authors advocate for a shift towards community-based safety measures, such as building trust between residents and law enforcement, investing in public infrastructure, and addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality.

In conclusion, No More Police is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers a comprehensive analysis of the failures of policing and the demands for its abolition. By centering the experiences of survivors, highlighting uprisings, and advocating for community-based solutions, the authors provide a roadmap for building a safer and more just world. This book is a must-read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of social change and the urgent need to dismantle systems of oppression and violence.

Dimension: 190 x 133 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781620976784