Defund the Police 2.0? Leftist group circulating plan for blue cities to repeal laws that criminalize resisting arrest: report

A left-wing network of elected officials is circulating policy recommendations encouraging Democratic-led cities to repeal laws criminalizing resistance to arrest. The recommendations also call for restrictions on police crowd-control tactics to protect activists arrested during demonstrations.

According to a report by journalist Natalie Winters, Local Progress Impact Lab updated its guidance in November 2025 with recommendations that include banning tear gas and rubber bullets, limiting police dispersal orders, and releasing people arrested at public assemblies. The network’s recommendations extend to preparations for the 2026 elections.

Its August 2026 election bulletin instructs officials to “Create an expedited permitting process for election-related demonstrations” and to “Pre-designate public assembly areas near civic buildings and polling locations and publish them clearly in advance.”

Winters reported that Local Progress has significant influence as its members hold public office and can approve permits, oversee municipal agencies, and vote on local laws. The network’s election bulletin also recommends tabletop exercises that involve mayors’ offices, police chiefs, prosecutors, election administrators, school superintendents, and community leaders.

“The network wants government officials preparing the ground for election demonstrations, with its older guidance offering a roadmap for limiting the police response,” Winters reported.

The report also highlighted political messaging recommendations. A messaging guide in the bulletin advises replacing the term “Election deniers” with “Election traitors.” Winters noted that the bulletin has established that elected officials are “being pointed toward a political vocabulary alongside advice on permits and policing."

Local Progress has already promoted a related initiative in Michigan. In Ypsilanti, City Council members submitted an April resolution directing city officials to coordinate with immigration advocacy groups, as well as the ACLU of Michigan. The resolution makes city facilities available at no cost for related training, and authorizes up to $10,000 from the city’s general fund for immediate expenses. The members who submitted the resolution, Amber Fellows and Desirae Simmons, are members of Local Progress.

In 2024, Local Progress Policy Institute, the Impact Lab’s legal entity, reported $9.59 million in revenue.