![](https://erikmcgregor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/EM-200618-DefundThePolice-010.jpg)
Brooklyn, NY – Hundreds of Brooklynites joined Bushwick Activist and NYC City Council Candidate for District 37 Rick Echevarria for a rally and march in the streets of Bushwick, demanding justice for all victims of police brutality, making a loud call to defund the NYPD and invest in communities.
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Hundreds of marchers gathered at Wyckoff Plaza (at the Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues Station on the L/M train) on June 18th, 2020. The march route included a stop at the local 83rd police precinct.
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The march is being organized in tandem with long-time Bushwick residents, leaders, and newcomers—and police reform supporters throughout NYC.
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Echevarria, is a long-time Bushwick-based housing organizer and a former City Hall staffer turned whistleblower. He says marchers will be making the following demands:
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Defund the NYPD by at least $1 Billion and reinvest those resources into housing, education, health, and youth services in communities like Bushwick.
![](https://erikmcgregor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/EM-200618-DefundThePolice-005.jpg)
Establish an Elected Civilian Review Board (ECRB) that is elected by neighborhoods, empowered to investigate and issue subpoenas, and that includes a special prosecutor.
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Diversify the upper ranks of the NYPD. The NYPD senior management has 2500 positions including the ranks of Captain, Lieutenant, Inspector, Chief, and Commissioner.
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The majority of NYPD members are minorities with 33% of Police Officers being Latino and 15% being Black.
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Currently, 2500 of the highest ranking positions in the NYPD – Captains, Lieutenants, Commanders, Chiefs, and Commissioners – are 80% White and almost entirely male. This is unacceptable. This is exactly what institutional racism and white supremacy look like.
![Local activists rally and march for police reform across Bushwick](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50021192401_c7eb234cf0_o.jpg)
© Erik McGregor – erikrivas@hotmail.com – 917-225-8963