On November 6, 2024, Donald J. Trump was named the President-Elect of the United States. 

This marks a dark precedent: for the first time in history, a person assuming the office of President has been an alleged rapist and is facing multiple criminal indictments, including charges of fraud, obstruction of justice, and attempts to overturn a democratic election. And yet, despite his own extensive contact with the justice system, he continues to push punitive and oppressive views on policing and incarceration and avoid the same punishment those in power consistently wield mercilessly against the poor and communities striving for equity.

This is a setback—but it’s a moment we’ve anticipated.

Our vision stands firm, our resolve unshaken. Now, more than ever, we are committed to dismantling the punitive justice system: the vast network of policing, surveillance, and incarceration that disproportionately harms marginalized communities. We’re still dedicated to transforming it into a system that genuinely supports and uplifts everyone. This election is not the final word on our future; it’s one chapter in our ongoing fight for justice and equity.

But let’s be clear about the stakes: the President-Elect’s vision for policing will harm, and even kill, members of the communities we serve—not just through incarceration but by decimating the social safety net, leaving people without essential support and resources. It would also mean a militarized police presence on our streets, harsher penalties for minor infractions, a resurgence of the death penalty, and a return to policies that prioritize reincarceration over rehabilitation. The President-Elect’s plan threatens to deepen the divides in our society, widening the gap between justice and punishment.

For more than a decade, and regardless of the party in power, Campaign Zero has persevered—pushing boundaries, reshaping policies, and showing up day after day. If history has taught us anything, it’s that resilience and community power have changed the course of the future before—and it will again. We must remain focused on structural change, engaging not only in the national conversation but also working in our states and local communities that directly impact peoples’ everyday lives. Your block or neighborhood is where lasting change will take root.

We are already mobilizing to meet this moment, from preparing to monitor and respond to injustice and abuse of power, advocating policies to defend and improve communities, and directly supporting those that stand to be the most affected. Together, we will continue the fight for justice and equity with renewed strength.

This moment may feel heavy, but we will forge a path forward together. Let’s commit to organizing, advocating, and mobilizing in the face of this administration’s threats. 

Sign up or donate today to continue the work of our future.

Together, we will win.