Last month, several states gathered together for the UN Climate Summit known as the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26). Amidst the lackluster responses and negligible commitments by imperialist states during the conference, there were no plans to discuss the impact militaries across the globe have in their massive emissions rates. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dodged a question from journalist Abby Martin during the conference about the Pentagon contributing more carbon emissions than 140 other countries.

The justification of using the military and law enforcement in efforts to help defend against the climate crisis is not only hypocritical, but also a necessary part of how the state justifies the utilization of the 1033 Program. This month’s newsletter highlights a recent investigation by reporters at the HuffPost, which found that nearly all requests for military equipment in recent years by law enforcement groups justified these vehicles and supplies as a part of their role in climate disaster mitigation.

We know that the military terrorizing oppressed peoples abroad, and much less the police terrorizing our communities here in the US, are not interested in addressing the climate crisis. Only we as Africans, in solidarity with our other marginalized comrades, organizing for our collective liberation, will facilitate a sustainable future. No compromise, no retreat.

In solidarity,

Rhamier & Noah

1033 leads for the Research & Political Education Team

Police Increasingly Cite Climate Disasters When Seeking Military Gear, Documents Show

  • The Jackson County Sheriff’s office claimed that a new MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle in 2014 for Iowa City would be used to facilitate rescue missions from extreme weather events

  • In actuality, the MRAP vehicle was utilized during the 2020 Summer uprisings when officers teargassed protestors and was also used to conduct arrest raids in a predominately Black neighborhood

  • In recent years (article covered 2017-2018), nearly all of the claims by law enforcement offices to get support for military-grade equipment included mention of combatting climate disasters whereas in prior years there was almost no note of it

  • Law enforcement agencies are justifying their existence in this time particularly for disaster preparedness, and there are no regulations to ensure that these groups only use vehicles and other equipment just for these reasons

Demilitarize the Police

  • Brennan Center for Justice reviewed the historical relationship the militarization of the police has had on citizens

  • The creation of the 1033 Program helped facilitate the continued war on drugs during the era of the crime bill

  • The coinciding of acquiring military equipment, but also more obviously adopting fascist attitudes that we also witness abroad, is what enables police to continue further militarization

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(Banner Photo: Line of police officers with batons and camo. Photo courtesy of katesheets.)