As protests broke out throughout the U.S. in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, some local police departments began using military equipment to control protests, make arrests and subdue riots that would breakout after confrontations became more heated.

The situation revived conversations about police militarization, budgeting for departments and which communities are getting the brunt of a militaristic police force.

CGTN spoke with writer, columnist and Philosopher-in-Chief of the Sustainable Culture Lab, Barrett Holmes Pitner about the growth of police militarization and the conversation about defunding police and eliminating the police use of military equipment on American streets.

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