Condemning the Trump Administration's deployment of the National Guard to American cities and calling on leaders across the country to defend democratic governance and civil liberties through every lawful means.

Condemning the Trump Administration’s deployment of the National Guard to American cities and calling on leaders across the country to defend democratic governance and civil liberties through every lawful means. WHEREAS, The Trump Administration has unilaterally ordered the National Guard to occupy multiple American cities, from Washington, D.C. to Chicago and Los Angeles without the consent of local governments or evidence of a legitimate emergency; and WHEREAS, Although Trump has declared a national emergency pertaining to crime and disorder as justification for his unilateral domestic occupation, no such emergency exists as a matter of observable fact. Municipalities are experiencing a precipitous drop in crime post-pandemic, including Philadelphia seeing lower homicide and violent crime numbers than it has in years; and WHEREAS, Philadelphia has been identified as a potential target for future deployment by the Administration, prompting Governor Josh Shapiro to declare that Pennsylvania was planning for such circumstances; and WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s reduction in crime and incarceration has also seen a dramatic reduction in recidivism reflecting a commitment to restorative justice and community-based safety strategies. Introducing the National Guard, which includes troops from states across the country who are not familiar with Philadelphia, nor with policing a large metropolitan area, would not improve the safety of residents in Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Other cities ha…