From 2017-2019, Chicago Black youth and other youth of color powerfully organized and led an effort against the construction of a $95 million cop academy and demanded the city of Chicago fund youth and communities instead. “#NoCopAcademy! 95 mill for community!” was the rallying cry.💥

Now… #NoCopAcademy is coming to Vermont! BTV CopWatch is excited to welcome youth organizers and filmmakers of the #NoCopAcademy documentary to Vermont for a free screening, discussion, and more on Sunday, July 28 (details coming soon).

Will you help us fund their trip? These vital funds will be used for flight cost and stipends for Black and Brown organizers, with any additional funds for event food & materials.

The #NoCopAcademy youth organizers engaged their neighbors, targeted City Council, engaged in creative direct action - all to demand an end to the violences that Black young people have experienced at the hands of the police and the city alike, and to demand schools for kids, not cops. Read more about the campaign from a 2023 retrospective in this article by organizer and journalist Citlali Perez.

Local grassroots/abolitionist groups will also be present at the event including the Racial Justice Alliance, #FreeHer, and more! If you're involved with a group who would like to table or speak at the event, please reach out to BTV CopWatch via Instagram or Facebook. We're especially interested in connecting with folks who are organizing around keeping police out of schools!

The post-screening discussion and Q&A will offer an opportunity draw parallels and inspiration from #NoCopAcademy to local organizing efforts.

Please contribute and share this fundraiser so we can bring these powerful abolitionist organizers to Vermont!

#NoCopAcademy Comes to Vermont!

Support Chicago abolitionist youth and filmmakers’ trip and event