twin cities
coalition for justice
(TCC4J)
*** a branch of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression ***
we are the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice
In November 2015, community members came together to respond urgently to the murder of Jamar Clark. Even in those first days, we understood that Jamar’s story is the story of so many stolen lives. TCC4J began in the first weeks after November 15, 2015, and during the 18-day occupation of the Fourth Precinct. We have been so honored to uplift Jamar’s name all these years, and we will continue to fight for justice for Jamar and all stolen lives.
We recognize that the scope of our work has evolved over the years and we extend our solidarity to everyone who is fighting for police accountability in our community, but also against all injustices.
● Jamar’s story inspired us to launch the fight for community control in Minneapolis, and we expect to put CPAC on the ballot in Minneapolis this November.
● We stand with our Palestinian siblings against genocide and for liberation, knowing that Israeli Occupations Forces also train murderers like Derek Chauvin in police forces occupying our communities.
● Our organization has always had queer and trans leaders, and we fight for justice for LGBTQ people and against racism and police abuses within the LGBTQ community.
These are just a few examples, but we seek justice on every front! Moving forward, we will be the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice.
Click here to read our full statement on the consent decree between the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, April 6, 2023
Get involved!
Join us at TCC4J events - posted here.
We meet weekly (via zoom and/or in person).
If you want to join us, click here and complete the form to introduce yourself.
Then email us to find out when our next open meeting will be!
We Demand Community Control of the police.
We are sick of cops killing, drugging, maiming, and harassing our people. How is it that cops with several dozen abuse complaints, cops who have repeatedly hurt unarmed people, cops who beat their wives, are still on the force? There is no real accountability.
We demand COMMUNITY control. Accountability to those who pay them: the residents of Minneapolis.
The demand for community control is not new - advanced by both the Black Panther Party fought for it in the 60s and the Movement for Black Lives today. TCC4J is taking up the fight for community control, meaning...
All-elected, all-civilian council with power over the Police Department to hire, fire, and prosecute cops.
WE CALL IT CPAC.
Click here to read our charter amendment to establish CPAC.
What is CPAC?
The Civilian Police Accountability Council won’t be another rubber-stamp agency;
it will change the rules entirely.
CPAC will make decisions & rules. Unlike the City Council or the Mayor, CPAC’s only job will be to control the police.
With CPAC, bad cops will be prosecuted. Law-abiding cops can come forward, be hired, and stay in their jobs.
Harassment, abuse, and murder by police officers and departments will have consequences.
When CPAC is law in Minneapolis, the community will be able to:
· Elect all its members - civilians only, no cops or former cops.
· Rewrite the police rulebook, including use-of-force guidelines & training.
· Appoint the chief of police. No longer would a single person, the Mayor, hold this power.
· Set the rules for hiring, based on what the community wants in their officers (for example, we might decide that officers must live in the city they serve, etc.)
· Investigate ALL complaints - shootings, harassment, acts of racist policing, crimes by police, etc. Investigations will be completely transparent so the public knows what's going on.
· Be the final authority on discipline in the MPD - discipline & fire bad cops.
If the police are paid to serve and protect, then CPAC will make sure they do that, and only that.
About TCC4J
Twin Cities Coalition for Justice is a community group dedicated to the fight for justice for those who have been harmed by police. Founded after the killing by MPD of Jamar Clark, on November 15, 2015, the Coalition has supported the families of victims of police violence and searched for solutions to prevent this violence ever since. In cooperation with many other community groups, we organize peaceful demonstrations and support those who are fighting in courts and committees to get justice for their loved ones. We have seen too much. The community has suffered too much. And the Mayor, the courts, and state legislators continue to allow these abuses of power. We want to take that power back.
You can follow our work on Facebook.