USSF 2010: Modeling the World as It Should Be

This year’s US Social Forum is the business! It is only the second day, yet it has already been an exhilarating experience to be in an activist space with 20,000 progressives committed to the movement for social justice. Most of all, it is great to be in an environment that serves as a model for the world as it should be and not the world as it is. One key example of this is that for the first time in the conference’s history, the US Social Forum has eliminated all bottled water and has set up stations where folks can come and fill up their canteens, cups and receptacles. This commitment to environmental justice is such an important action for a gathering of this size and it is my hope that many other conferences will take note and follow the Social Forum’s Lead.
It has also been empowering to see so many lawyers who are infusing discussions about the world we want to live in with short term policy goals that may be feasible in the Obama era. An example of this is the first conference panel I attended on Tuesday hosted by the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality. This group is a great example of an organization that has balanced policy advocacy and plain-speaking, boots-on-the-ground activism. As such, they were one of the key organizers for marches in the aftermath of the slaying of Aiyana Stanley-Jones.
Along with organizing for marches, the group serves as a watchdog for the police, tracking complaints of police brutality with the hope of finding trends of bad behavior that can be the basis of legislation or negotiations with the Chief of Police.

One important concept that was raised during the panel by group member and attorney Ron Scot was the issue of “individual liability” in police brutality cases. In essence, police who commit acts of brutality that eventually make it to trial are afforded legal representation that is paid for by taxpayer money. The group feels that if police had to pay their own legal fees in cases of police brutality, they would not be as willing to use excessive force in criminal disputes. Additionally, there is a moral hazard at play with allowing for police to have their legal fees paid for in full even when they are guilty of a crime. While the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality cites strong opposition from police unions, they believe that now is the time to create a national conversation on how taxpayer funds have been used to support some of the worst aggressors of police brutality.
Finally, I just want to say that I have been hella encouraged by the visible leadership presence that women have had at this conference. Big ups to National Coordinator Adrienne Maree Brown who has been holding everyone down in Detroit. In addition, Invincible’s live performance is one I will remember for days to come. It has also been great to see women leaders in the fight for food justice, against police brutality and involved in many other issues being covered in the coming days.
I look forward to another update-post. Off to go see our very own Samhita do the damn thing!