Police Unions’ Opposition to Prison Reform Is About More Than Jobs — It’s About Racism

By Natasha Lennard

In its first few seconds, a new television advertisement targeting New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo appears to be an appeal for increased funding for public education. “Governor Cuomo is shortchanging our kids,” the short video begins. “In New York state, our classrooms are overcrowded and outdated.” This, however, is not a message from the state’s teachers unions, nor is it a campaign effort from gubernatorial challenger Cynthia Nixon. In fact, the ad is not about education at all.

Fifteen seconds in, the ad’s true intent is revealed: “Instead of taking care of our children, the governor’s radical agenda takes care of criminals.” The video is part of a six-figure TV, radio, digital, and outdoor advertisement campaign launched last month by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, or NYSCOPBA, with the aim, according to a union statement, “to put public safety before primary party politics this campaign season.”

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Source: The Intercept_