A Black Lives Matter Movement co-founder on Monday called on "sea changes" to the Democratic National Committee Platform — including adding a plank on defunding the police.
Patrisse Cullors made the plea during the DNC's virtual party platform meeting Monday, Axios reports.
With just three weeks until the party's nominating convention, Cullors called on the party to more boldly address police brutality and racial injustice.
"Without the sea changes our movement recommended for the 2020 Democratic platform, any claims to allyship and solidarity with our work to fight for Black liberation are for naught," she said.
She told Axios afterward that she had proposed "about 10" amendments covering criminal justice, legal system reforms, policing, education, the environment and reparations. But, she said, all of them were rejected without a vote.
Cullors also was advocating for the BREATHE Act, which calls for defunding the police, a rallying cry among Black Lives Matter protestors in the streets, but which presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said he opposes. Several Democrats in Congress also say they oppose defunding the police.
Cullors told Axios she has discussed the BREATHE Act with Biden and will continue to do so if he is elected president.
"Even if we get Trump out in November we will still be having this same conversation about police violence with Biden in office," she said. "I’m calling the Democratic Party to the table — not casting them to the side. A unified party is one that will listen to the people on the streets."
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