“EASTHAMPTON – Mayor Nicole LaChapelle released an initial response to 01027: A Knee is Not Enough (AKINE), addressing their mission and demands.

AKINE is a community-based, grassroots group that was founded in partnership with Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, led by Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). They believe that more than a symbolic gesture needs to happen in order to address issues of systemic bias, systemic violence, and systemic oppression.

Some of AKINE’s immediate demands included the public release information about the Easthampton Police Department (EPD) practices and policies to the community, regular meetings between EPD and community organizations including AKINE representatives, and an immediate ban on chokeholds and no-knock warrants.”