Protests continue across our region, focusing Wednesday on the military and law enforcement. Activists looking for a reduction in military funding, and the de-militarization of local police.

What You Need To Know

  • Veterans for Peace protesting in Binghamton want less national military spending.
  • They argue the money can be better spent on other programs.
  • Protesters in Syracuse wanting demilitarization of local law enforcement.
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“Our focus is deep cuts in the united states military budget," said Jack Gilroy, Veterans for Peace Broome County president.

Protesters set up outside Senator Chuck Schumer's office in Binghamton. Calling for national defense funds to be spent on other programs.

“Healthcare and education right? Not militarization. Senator Schumer has to take his mask off and face reality that money should be spent for not just that but for climate emergencies, for the environment, for all of the needs we have that are human needs, not for preparing to kill and of course to kill,” said Gilroy.

Veterans for Peace say the military budget uses 54 percent of the national discretionary spending.

“If you look at how they spend their money, that's what tells you what a man believes and what’s near and dear to him. So it's important if we really want to make a change in society, you should look at the sheet and find out what’s most important in terms of what they invest in most," said Damien Cornwell, Broome County Urban League director of operations.

In Syracuse, protesters are calling for the demilitarization of local police; especially after seeing national protests.

“It was just amazing when some of the police come out. They had helmets and all kinds of protective gear and I just looked and them and thought, 'Are they really the police or something else?'” said Charles Anderson, Pan African Community of Central New York president.

One solution could be a community policing model.

“They just have to sit down and have sessions with the community and see what their concerns are and how they can come to some resolution," said Anderson.

“One of my great friends reminded me of a quote that Martin Luther King had made which was the three great evils are militarism, poverty, and racism. So change your order of priorities and you can begin to defeat those things," said Cornwell.

Calling for change on the local and national level.