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![Becoming Abolitionists by Derecka Purnell book cover to the right with black and white overlaid image of police brutality protest in background. Event info in white text to the left "Becoming Abolitionists Book Talk with Burns Chair Vince Warren and author Derecka Purnell, April 11th, 2023; 5:30pm; CUNY Law"](https://www.law.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/page-assets/event/becoming-abolitionists-book-talk-with-burns-chair-vince-warren-and-author-derecka-purnell/BookTalk_Image_Banner.jpg)
Join Burns Chair Vince Warren and author Derecka Purnell on April 11th at 5:30 p.m. ET for a discussion of Purnell’s book, Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom. Drawing from her experiences as a lawyer, writer, and organizer initially skeptical about police abolition, Purnell charts her journey to her realization that the police was a placebo. The book spans not only Purnell’s experience but also a long history of social movements rooted in rebellion and revolutionary love that pushed a generation of activists towards abolition, from Ferguson to South Africa, from Reconstruction to contemporary protests against police shootings.
A complimentary copy of Purnell’s book will be provided to a limited number of event participants upon registration and attendance.