Plan to expand police force triggers #TakeBackOurStreetsDC Twitter storm

Activists associated with the #BlackLivesMatter movement in Washington, DC took to Twitter yesterday denouncing a proposed bill which they say would expand police power in the US capital.

The Twitter storm is a part of a series of actions this week calling on DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to halt the passing of the new bill. Activists argue the bill would disproportionately affect black neighborhoods in DC by flooding these communities with more cops. They also claim police would be given the power to conduct “illegal” searches and to incarcerate people for minor, non-violent offeces. Mayor Bowser reasons more cops on the streets would help curb a rise in homicides and other crimes in the city.
 

Using #TakeBackOurStreetsDC, activists on Twitter criticised the plan, saying a larger police presence would only further marginalise black communities: