Campaign Zero’s 0 years of impact

Campaign Zero partnered with Lezley McSpadden-Head and the Michael O.D. Brown We Love Our Sons and Daughters Foundation for the inaugural Michael O.D. Brown Scholarship. Campaign Zero collaborated with the Foundation throughout the scholarship process and helped organize and host a scholarship dinner for recipients. The evening featured heartfelt stories and inspiring speeches as Lezley awarded St. Louis students with scholarships in Mike’s name.

Since the launch of Campaign Zero’s Cancel ShotSpotter campaign in April 2022, fifteen cities have announced cancellations or rejected the use of ShotSpotter technology.
In May 2022, Buffalo, NY, and Shreveport, LA, decided against using ShotSpotter. In September, Green Bay, WI, decided to spend its money on other budget items, followed by Dayton, OH, which canceled in October. By November 2022, Atlanta, GA, had stopped using ShotSpotter, and Seattle, WA, rejected the technology.
In 2023, Nashville, TN, opted not to install ShotSpotter, even though it was included in the budget for FY23 and FY24, as noted by the assistant police chief. Portland, OR, rejected a contract proposal in June 2023. Raleigh, NC, considered the tool but did not initiate a contract.
The trend continued into 2024, with Buffalo, NY, reaffirming its decision in February. Also in February, Mayor Brandon Johson announced Chicago’s contract, the company’s largest, would expire by the end of the year. In March, Durham, NC, Indianapolis, IN, and Pompano Beach, FL, canceled their use of the technology, followed by an April announcement that Mobile, AL, will not renew. Winston-Salem, NC, will not renew its contract when it expires in September.

Following a sustained campaign against the proposed Secure DC bill, the DC Council decided to maintain the felony theft threshold at $1,000, rejecting the proposed reduction to $500. Campaign Zero’s data played a key role in influencing this decision.

The End ‘Excited Delirium’ campaign was launched with the introduction of a campaign website and coordinated effort with Physicians for Human Rights, challenging the misuse of this term in law enforcement practices.

Campaign Zero supported over 400 people in Baltimore, Washington, DC, & Oakland during the holiday season.

Campaign Zero worked with partners to advance groundbreaking legislation making California the first state to outlaw the use of “excited delirium” as a medical diagnosis.

Campaign Zero’s data supported the passing of a historic law in California that banned the use of nuisance property ordinances and crime-free housing policies.
After the law passed in California, the National Housing Law Project (NHLP) reached out to Campaign Zero to develop a comprehensive map showing which cities and counties have crime-free policies. This map will support advocacy groups in ensuring jurisdictions comply with the new law and cease adhering to these now-illegal policies.

On January 13, 2023, Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates dropped all charges against Keith Davis Jr., leading to his release after years of legal battles. Keith Davis Jr. had become a symbol in the fight against wrongful convictions, representing the challenges faced by many in the criminal justice system.

Decades of corruption and mismanagement have shown that New York City is unable to address the deadly human rights crisis created by the Department of Correction. Campaign Zero developed various public resources and tools to demand that control be taken away from Mayor Adams to save lives.

Research shows that ShotSpotter, a platform by SoundThinking, Inc., often fails to make communities safer and frequently misidentifies loud noises as gunshots, leading to increased and sometimes fatal police encounters with civilians. Campaign Zero launched the national Cancel ShotSpotter campaign to urge communities to reconsider using this costly and unreliable technology.

On April 25, 2021, Derontae Martin was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head in the attic of a house owned by a known white supremacist. Initially ruled a suicide by a local coroner, a subsequent independent autopsy and an empanelled jury concluded that Derontae’s death was the result of violence. Despite this, no arrests have been made, and the Missouri Highway Patrol has provided no updates. Campaign Zero, along with Derontae’s family, launched the #JusticeForDerontae campaign to demand a thorough investigation by the Department of Justice and to hold those responsible accountable.

In response to the tragic death of Amir Locke, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey instituted the most restrictive no-knock city raid policy in American history. Campaign Zero was lead assistance to the City of Minneapolis in the drafting of this policy.

The End Qualified Immunity campaign features a first-of-its-kind rubric, a comprehensive compilation of case studies from across the nation, and publicly tracked legislation from the past two legislative cycles.

Samuel Celestin was tragically killed by police on April 11, 2019, during a mental health crisis. This campaign, launched in coordination with Samuel’s family, seeks to highlight the injustice of Samuel’s death and demand accountability.

The Raise the Threshold campaign highlights the need to increase felony theft thresholds, which have remained dangerously low for decades, leading to unfair and excessive penalties for minor thefts. The campaign aims to educate the public and advocate for legislative changes to raise these thresholds, ensure they are regularly adjusted for inflation, and remove unfair exceptions.

Campaign Zero supported legislation to eliminate Qualified Immunity in Washington, Vermont, Oregon, and New York. Qualified immunity protects police officers from civil liability when they violate an individual’s constitutional rights, often preventing victims of police misconduct from receiving justice or compensation.

Campaign Zero collaborated with Virginia legislators to implement restrictions on no-knock raids. This effort was part of a broader movement to limit police raids, sparked by the tragic death of Breonna Taylor. The new Virginia legislation aimed to address these concerns by prohibiting the execution of no-knock warrants and introducing stricter regulations on all types of search warrants. The bill includes measures such as requiring officers to be in uniform, conducting raids during the day, and relying on current intelligence. The law represents a significant step toward reducing the risks associated with forcible entry raids and honoring Breonna Taylor’s legacy.

Campaign Zero launched the End All No Knocks campaign, a national initiative to end no-knock raids. While the groundwork had begun prior to the website release, the campaign aims to address the terror these raids have inflicted on communities. The initiative includes working with Rep. Ilhan Omar to introduce the most comprehensive search warrant bill, named for Amir Locke, and promoting a set of 10 points of change to restrict all search warrant executions. Key measures include banning no-knock warrants, requiring audible announcements, a mandatory 30-second response time, banning military-style devices, and increasing police accountability. The campaign also emphasizes the importance of transparency and public review of all warrant activities. This effort is crucial in preventing future tragedies and ensuring community safety.

In June 2015, Keith Davis Jr. was cornered by police in a West Baltimore garage, where they shot at him 44 times, striking him 3 times. Although Keith miraculously survived, he has endured several trials, no lasting convictions, and years of incarceration. Baltimore’s state attorney, Marilyn Mosby, protected the officers who shot Keith and prosecuted him for crimes he did not commit. Campaign Zero, in collaboration with his wife Kelly Davis, launched this website to highlight the injustices Keith faced, including inconsistent testimony, tampered evidence, and unjust trials, and mobilize supporters to demand accountability and transparency in his ongoing legal battle.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a new department-wide policy that restricts the use of chokeholds and no-knock entries by federal law enforcement. Effective September 14, 2021, this policy limits the circumstances under which these tactics can be used. Chokeholds and carotid restraints are now prohibited unless deadly force is authorized. Similarly, no-knock entries are limited to situations where there is a credible threat of physical violence, requiring supervisory approval.

Campaign Zero, in collaboration with Washington State activists, launched the Truth in Washington campaign to advocate for police accountability. In 2021, Washington State enacted significant police reforms, including HB1310, which mandates de-escalation and restricts the use of physical force, and HB1054, which limits high-speed chases, bans military equipment, requires officer identification, and restricts tear gas use. Despite resistance from some law enforcement, these reforms, supported by a majority of voters, aim to save lives and improve police-community relations.

Campaign Zero worked with legislators in Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, and New Jersey to pass legislation curtailing no-knock raids.

Campaign Zero worked with Maryland legislators to pass the most comprehensive restrictions on no-knock raids in US history. This landmark legislation was part of a broader police accountability overhaul, making Maryland the first state to repeal its Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR). Despite initial vetoes by Governor Larry Hogan, the Democratic-majority legislature successfully overrode them, implementing new rules on police use of force, mandating body cameras, and involving civilians in police discipline.

Campaign Zero worked with Maryland legislators to create Police Accountability Boards in every munincipality, a historic first step in statewide accountability for law enforcement.

Campaign Zero successfully supported the repeal of Maryland’s Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights (LEOBOR), a significant milestone in driving impactful change and raising awareness. This historic repeal marks a crucial step towards removing barriers to accountability and transparency in law enforcement. Maryland, the first state to establish LEOBOR, has set a precedent by dismantling this law, signaling a commitment to justice and reform.

Campaign Zero conducted 50 local and national polls to gather critical data and insights to inform its advocacy efforts. These polls provided valuable information on public opinion regarding police practices, criminal justice reform, and community needs. The results helped shape targeted strategies and policy recommendations, ensuring that Campaign Zero’s initiatives were grounded in the voices and experiences of diverse communities across the country. This data-driven approach strengthened the organization’s ability to advocate effectively for systemic change.

The Austin City Council made a significant decision by voting against the Austin Police Union contract. This vote was a crucial step towards increasing police accountability and transparency. The council’s decision reflected the community’s demand for substantial reforms in policing practices and was a major victory for advocates working to ensure that police unions do not obstruct necessary changes in law enforcement policies.

Campaign Zero had the opportunity to meet with President Barack Obama at the White House once again. This meeting underscored the importance of the organization’s work and its impact on national policy discussions. During the meeting, key issues related to police reform and criminal justice were addressed, highlighting the progress made and the ongoing efforts required to achieve systemic change. This engagement with the President reinforced Campaign Zero’s commitment to advocating for justice and accountability at the highest levels of government.

The White House hosted the first intergenerational meeting of civil rights leaders with President Barack Obama, marking a historic moment in the ongoing struggle for equality and justice. This gathering brought together seasoned activists and emerging leaders to discuss critical issues facing the nation, including police reform and racial justice. The meeting symbolized a bridging of generations, emphasizing the continuity of the civil rights movement and the collective effort needed to drive systemic change.

Campaign Zero launched the Mapping Police Violence project, a comprehensive initiative aimed at documenting and analyzing incidents of police violence across the United States. This project provided critical data and insights into the patterns and prevalence of police brutality, helping to inform advocacy and policy efforts. By making this information publicly accessible, Mapping Police Violence empowered communities and activists with the tools needed to push for systemic reforms and hold law enforcement accountable.

Campaign Zero launched the Use of Force Project, an initiative dedicated to analyzing and reforming police use of force policies across the United States. This project aims to identify best practices, promote transparency, and advocate for policies that reduce incidents of police violence. By providing detailed data and recommendations, the Use of Force Project empowers communities, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies to implement changes that enhance accountability and protect citizens’ rights.

Campaign Zero launched the Check the Police initiative to increase transparency and accountability within police departments. This project focused on analyzing and publicizing police union contracts and policies that often shield officers from accountability. By highlighting these issues, Check the Police aimed to empower communities and activists to advocate for reforms that ensure police accountability and promote justice. This initiative played a crucial role in the broader movement to address systemic problems in law enforcement.