1 – It’s Our Money: Dr. Melina Abdullah and The People’s Budget

Tens of thousands of Angelenos agree on one thing: defund the police to fund mental health and housing. L.A. spends 25¢ of every dollar on policing, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Our guest is co-founder of Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles Dr. Melina Abdullah. The People’s Budget is an annual poll of 20,000+ Angelenos revealing how the people want to spend their money. Spoiler alert: it’s not on LAPD.

We compare what we really want to what city hall gives us, why they are so different, and what we can do to fight back against a runaway police budget. Discover how everyone can have everything they need and most of what they want.

Dr. Melina Abdullah

Dr. Melina Abdullah is Professor and former Chair of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

She was among the original group of organizers that convened to form Black Lives Matter, co-founding BLM-Los Angeles and BLM Grassroots, for which she also serves as co-director.

In 2024 she accepted the Vice Presidential nomination from Cornel West's campaign.

Resources

The People's Budget L.A. peoplesbudgetla.com

Black Lives Matter L.A. blmla.org

L.A. Community Action Network cangress.org

People's City Council peoplescitycouncil-la.com

Action Items

Police Commission | Tuesday 9:30AM

100 W. 1st St. L.A., CA

Police Protective League | Wednesday 4:00PM

1313 W 8th St. L.A., CA

Black Lives Matter L.A. Organizing Meeting | 2nd Sunday 7:00PM

3423 W. 43rd Place Leimert Park