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A28 u.s. news
Dialuna 19 OctOber 2020

Black officers break from unions over Trump endorsements

“The election is Nov. 3, and
people are out there voting
now. What is it going to do
to rescind the endorsement
days before the election?”
said John Elam, a Philadel-
phia firefighter and Valiants
member. “We want a fair pro-
cess. We wanted a fair process
from the beginning.”

In New York City, Patrick
Lynch — the head of the Po-
lice Benevolent Association
that represents about 24,000
officers — announced the
union's endorsement of
Trump at August's Repub-
lican National Convention,
something members said
they had no warning would
happen. An unsigned let-
ter from the Guardians As-
(AP) — Police unions nation- when the National Associa- for state offices at higher sociation said the Black and
wide have largely supported tion of Black Law Enforce- “I am a Black American and rates this year — some is- minority officers the group
President Donald Trump’s ment Officers issued a letter a Black law enforcement of- suing endorsement for the represents felt blindsided by
reelection, amid mass dem- condemning use of deadly ficer," said Rob Pride, the first time in decades. While Lynch’s endorsement and
onstrations over police bru- force, police misconduct and National Fraternal Order of many union leaders say the wished the union had stayed
tality and accusations of sys- abuse in communities of col- Police chair of trustees. “It’s endorsements aren't based neutral.
temic racism — but a number or. been emotionally a roller- on political parties, they have
of Black law enforcement of- coaster ride for me since the largely been for Republicans Lynch said it was the union's
ficers are speaking out against While support for the Re- George Floyd incident. It was challenging candidates who first presidential endorse-
these endorsements, saying publican incumbent does not horrific.” have voted for what unions ment in at least 36 years.
their concerns over entering strictly fall along racial lines, call “anti-police” reform bills. “That’s how important this
the 2020 political fray were many Black officers say the Pride, who oversees the vote Philadelphia’s FOP Lodge is,” Lynch said to the crowd
ignored endorsements for Trump that leads to the organiza- 5 President John McNesby during an event at Trump’s
don’t fairly represent all tion's presidential endorse- said in a statement that the golf club in Bedminster, New
Trump has touted his support dues-paying members. ment, says the May 25 police group, which represents Jersey, telling the president:
from the law enforcement killing of Floyd in Minneap- 6,500 members, did not “You’ve earned this.”
community, which includes “We are members of these olis and the political climate make an endorsement in the During September's presi-
endorsements from national, unions, and they don’t take “is tearing America apart” presidential race, and de- dential debate, Trump ticked
city and state officers’ unions into consideration our feel- and having a similar effect on ferred to its parent union’s off the locations where he felt
— some of which publicly ings about Donald J. Trump, the FOP. endorsement. But members he had support from law en-
endorsed a political candi- then they don’t care about us said that despite being the forcement. “I have Florida, I
date for the first time. He’s and ... they don’t care about National FOP leaders said largest lodge in the state, have Texas, I have Ohio,” he
running on what he calls a our dues,” said Rochelle Bilal, they have heard from mem- they weren’t given a chance said. “Excuse me, Portland,
“law and order” platform and the recent past president of bers who don’t agree with to vote or be counted by the the sheriff there just came
tapping into a strain of anger the Guardian Civic League the Trump endorsement — state or national delegates. out today and said, ‘I support
and frustration felt by law en- of Philadelphia, calling the and they're open to talking President Trump.’”
forcement who believe they National Fraternal Order of over concerns — but that Denouncing the endorse-
are being unfairly accused of Police's Trump endorsement all 44 state Fraternal Orders ment processes, The Guard- That sheriff — Multnomah
racial discrimination. an “outrage.” of Police chapters that cast a ian Civic League has asked its County Sheriff Mike Reese
ballot voted for Trump. Pride about 1,200 members to be — quickly took to Twitter to
There are more than 8,000 Bilal, who was elected as said the whole process starts prepared to withdraw their deny any support.
law enforcement agencies in Philadelphia’s first Black fe- locally, with lodges passing dues from the national FOP,
the U.S., with large depart- male sheriff last year, spoke out candidate survey answers as has the Club Valiants of Terrance Hopkins, president
ments holding sway nation- at at an early October news and ballots and then voting Philadelphia — an organiza- of the Black Police Associa-
ally. The number of minority conference with other Black at a statewide meeting. State tion of more than 500 minor- tion of Dallas, said a hand-
officers in policing has more law enforcement groups in delegates then voted at the ity firefighters — from the ful of officers left the Dallas
than doubled in the last three Philadelphia to condemn national meeting. Local 22 of the International Police Department’s largest
decades, but many depart- Trump endorsements and Fire Fighters and Paramedics union, partly driven by its
ments still have a smaller the process they say ignored "We could probably have an Union. In endorsing Trump, support for Trump, and had
percentage of Black and His- their concerns over what hourlong conversation about Local 22 broke from its par- joined his organization.
panic officers compared to they perceived to be racist re- why some folks feel Presi- ent organization, which en-
the percentage of the general marks, support for white su- dent Trump is racist and why dorsed Democrat Joe Biden. “A lot of these officers feel
population those communi- premacist groups and a lack others disagree,” he said. like they aren't being con-
ties make up. of respect for women from “But there are a lot of officers Valiants leaders said the Lo- sidered. A lot of the issues
Trump. of all races of all backgrounds cal 22's endorsement was that push them to that point
Many fraternal Black police who feel he best represents based on survey responses border along racial lines,"
organizations were formed to But national union leaders and supports the interests of from about 500 of the union's Hopkins, a 30-year veteran
advocate for equality within say the process is designed to law enforcement.” nearly 5,000 members. Local officer, said. “And it's not just
police departments but also give everyone a voice and the union leaders said a redo sur- here. I got a call from some
to focus on how law enforce- endorsement represents the On the local level, police re- vey is being sent to members Black officers in Kansas City,
ment affects the wider Black majority of officers. The Fra- form bills driven by protests in response to the backlash Missouri, who wanted to join
community. There have of- ternal Order of Police repre- against police brutality in the and its endorsement will be my organization because they
ten been tensions between sents close to 350,000 officers wake of Floyd’s killing have revised if necessary by the don't have any other outlet
minority organizations and nationally, but does not track also stoked local unions’ en- end of the month. and they don't feel like they
larger unions, like in August, racial demographics. dorsements of candidates are being represented.