Join the Postcards Against Policing Campaign.

It is very simple! Simply write on a postcard, letter, post-it, or any piece of paper why you believe the University of Washington should divest from SPD, disarm UWPD, and reimagine and reinvest in Black student life, campus safety, and collective health. Statements should highlight the demands of Decriminalize UW, remain solutions-focused, and amplify the life-affirming activism of Black student organizers. Once you write your statement, add a stamp, and mail it to one of the following addresses:

We are glad you asked! Write something that draws attention to the demands from students, faculty, and staff (divest from the SPD, disarm the UWPD, ban the use of police dogs, reimagine and reinvest in campus safety and health collectives in ways that do not threaten Black lives). This can be a catchy statement (“Divest and Reinvest!”), an abolitionist-minded suggestion (“Hire more black counsellors!”), or an expression of personal experience (“the UWPD has been a threatening force on campus ever since I became a student”). Ultimately, please make sure your statements are life-affirming and solution-focused.

Here are some examples that will hopefully inspire you:

Ms. Libby MacPhee, support the emotional wellness of BIPOC students! Please implement the demands of the #DecriminalizeUW petition to disarm the UWPD and divest from the SPD!

Mr. Blaine Tamaki, for decades you have been involved in litigations for racial justice. Please show your support once again by disarming the UWPD and reinvesting in Black health and safety.

Mr. Rogelio Riojas, the movement is seeking your support once again! Disarm the UWPD, ban police dogs, and reinvest in BIPOC life on campus!

Postcards Against Policing is a Divest & Demilitarize UW action that builds upon long-standing movements for the liberation of Black, Indigenous, and students of color at the University of Washington. Inspired by the current moment, students, faculty, and staff released the Decriminalize UW petition, which in solidarity with the demands of the Black Student Union at UW, called on the University of Washington to break all formal and informal ties with the Seattle Police Department, to disarm the UWPD, and to ban the UWPD’s use of police dogs. As of June 29, 2020, the petition drive has garnered more than 9,700 signatures from UW-affiliated individuals, more than 150 UW-affiliated organizations, and 21 non-UW affiliated organizations.

After a series of meetings with President Ana Mari Cauce, she released a statement on June 15, 2020, which made no commitment to disarm the UWPD, obfuscated the role of police dogs, and claimed no way to “divest” or disassociate from SPD (citing the lack of formal “contractual arrangements” or “financial obligations” between UW and SPD).

In response, the Coalition to Decriminalize UW, of which Divest & Demilitarize UW is a member, has decided to move above the office of President Ana Mari Cauce to demand that the Board of Regents prioritize the safety and health of BIPOC students, faculty, and staff. On June 23, 2020, the Coalition sent a detailed letter to the Board of Regents, which demanded the board address “the ongoing emergency of anti-Blackness at the University of Washington” and in particular “the racial violence of policing” during their next meeting, which takes place on July 9, 2020.

On June 25, 2020, the Board of Regents agreed to only hear ten minutes of public comment from Black students, faculty, and staff who have been impacted by policing on campus. Ten. Minutes. We, as organizers of Divest & Demilitarize UW, believe the issue of police violence at the UW campus and its impact on Black life on campus deserves more than a ten-minute public comment.

In anticipation of the July 9 meeting, we call on you to write postcards to the UW Board of Regents. Tell the Board why the demands of Decriminalize UW need to be implemented immediately!

I have signed and mailed my postcards, but I want to do more to support Postcards Against Policing! What should I do?

We are glad you asked! We ask that you circulate the campaign instructions with all of your friends and colleagues and encourage them to send postcards as well! You can also organize virtual or socially distant postcard writing actions with your friends. The more postcards sent to the members of the Board, the more effective this campaign will be.

We are a UW organization and we would like to collaborate with Divest & Demilitarize - UW on Postcards Against Policing! Where do we go?

We welcome collaboration and we are happy to speak with you! Please email us at [email protected] and we will respond to you within 48 hours.

I have more questions. Where do I go to ask them?

Please email us at [email protected]. We will be happy to assist in any way we can!

I want to support BIPOC artists and bookstores that sell or make postcards. Where could I go?

Here’s a couple of options for you:

Estelita’s Library
The Postman Seattle

Is there a more accessible way to participate in this campaign?

Yes, you can digitally create and send a physical postcard online. One avenue is snapshotpostcard.com

I am a graduate student at UW and I would like to join Divest & Demilitarize UW! How do I join?

Please take this survey and we will follow up with you promptly. Black, Indigenous, and students of color will always be centered in Divest & Demilitarize UW and our organization is non-hierarchical. We are explicitly an abolitionist coalition of graduate students.