Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender claimed Monday that calling the police for help in an emergency “comes from a place of privilege.”
Bender appeared on CNN’s “New Day” after being part of her city council’s decision to disband the Minneapolis Police Department in the wake of George Floyd’s death two weeks earlier. Floyd died after former police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for several minutes after he lost consciousness.
Bender responded by saying that issues like housing and health care would be a better investment than continuing to fund the police department. “I know the statement was bold and I stand by that bold statement, but the work ahead of us will be long, it will include every member of our community. It has to,” she explained.
“Do you understand that the word ‘dismantle’ or ‘police-free’ also makes some people nervous, for instance. What if in the middle of night my home is broken into. Who do I call?” Camerota pressed.
“Yes, I hear that loud and clear from a lot of my neighbors,” Bender replied. “And I know — and myself, too, and I know that that comes from a place of privilege.”
Bender went on to argue that outside of that “privilege” was a world where calling the police actually caused more harm than not calling them.
“On a political point, as a Democrat, are you worried that you have just handed President Trump a great talking point or slogan or battle cry for his reelection to be able to say, ‘See, Democrats want to get rid of your police. First they come to take away your guns,’ as he says. ‘Now they’re taking away your police officers.’ Does that concern you?” Camerota asked.
https://dailycaller.com/2020/06/08/minneapolis-city-council-president-lisa-bender-calling-police-privilege/