At 1M4, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe, especially in moments of crisis.
This month, as we continue the fight for real safety in our communities, we want to take a moment to highlight the difference between two terms we often hear but aren’t always clearly defined:
Police brutality refers to the excessive, unlawful use of force—often physical, often deadly. It’s the violence that grabs headlines.
Police violence is broader. It includes that brutality, yes, but also the quieter, everyday harms: racial profiling, wrongful arrests, the refusal to investigate crimes against Black victims, the trauma of being dismissed or criminalized when we need help.
Both are dangerous and rooted in systemic injustice. And both are why we advocate for non-police crisis response.
“Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it.”
— James Baldwin
What We’re Watching
When Crystal recognized that her daughter was in a mental health crisis, she chose care over criminalization. This powerful story shows how the Right Response can change everything. In partnership with 1M4, Georgetown Law’s CICS, and Canopy Roots’ Minneapolis BCR team, this video highlights what community-led crisis response can and should look like.
We’ll be sharing more stories like this soon! 🌿 Learn more about Canopy Roots
Get Involved
We recently met the Canopy Roots team in person in NYC.
Can you tell we had a great time sharing lifesaving insights and collaborating?
We need your help in reaching your local community
Join us in our Community Platform today!
(don’t let the ‘request to join’ button scare you. We’re just really careful about keeping our spaces safe)
What We’re Reading
Stanford University recently released its findings after evaluating 100 cities’ use of force policies for law enforcement. Take a look through the button below.
Full report is at the bottom of their page. Let us know your thoughts.
Your Expertise is Needed!
We’re completely revamping The Right Response Directory and need your input to ensure it meets our community’s needs.
This critical resource connects you to alternative first-response programs offering compassionate support through peer responders, clinicians, and trained EMTs for calls like welfare checks, noise complaints, traffic incidents, and mental health crises.
Your feedback is vital for us to improve. Please take a few minutes to complete our confidential survey. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
A Mental Health Tip For You
Wrapping up Black Music Month with this reminder: Music can do more than soothe. It can shift.
Try this: Choose one song that mirrors how you’re feeling right now. Play it. Let yourself sit with the emotion. Then, choose a second song that reflects how you want to feel. This intentional transition is a technique used in music therapy to process emotion and guide your mood.
Need a little help?…
Spread Some Blessings!
The consequences of police violence extend far beyond the loss of life. For families affected, it’s the loss of income, the sacrifice of basic necessities, and the start of a high-cost legal fight. If you have the capacity, consider donating to 1M4. Proceeds help support impacted families and sustain the work of 1M4 toward ending police violence for good.
As June comes to a close, we’re carrying the lessons, the grief, and the joy with us. From honoring Black liberation to deepening our commitment to mental health and safety, this month reminded us what it means to care for ourselves and each other.
As we head into the rest of summer, let’s keep that energy. Keep choosing to heal, protect your peace, and sharing resources like The Right Response because our village deserves support that truly sees and serves us.
You Got Your 1M4 Merch Yet?
Visit the 1M4 merch store to make sure you’re representing at court support, protests, or in line at your favorite coffee spot. We want to see YOU in your 1M4 gear. Every purchase goes directly to funding the work of 1M4 increasing access to safety and wellness.
