Jon Wells

In this discussion, historian Jon Wells and educator Mariame Kaba delve into the dark history of policing in 19th-century New York. They reveal how law enforcement was complicit in the kidnapping of Black individuals, turning a blind eye to injustice. The duo highlights the resistance efforts of figures like David Ruggles, who fought against slavery and systemic oppression. Kaba provides crucial context on the abolitionist movement, while Wells explores the violent legacies that shaped the NYPD's origins, urging a reexamination of community safety.