Activist Nekima Levy Armstrong will appear in Hulu‘s Sound of the Police documentary. As a civil rights attorney, author and educator, she fearlessly addresses the pressing issue of police brutality, making her one of the most informed and vocal experts on the subject of our time. Armstrong’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality and equity, has garnered her interviews with prestigious outlets like the New York Times, Essence, BET, FOX, and Oprah Daily.
Armstrong spoke to rolling out to shed light on the documentary and its widespead impact.
How did you become a part of Hulu’s documentary, Sound of the Police?
Sound of the Police is a powerful documentary that is available to stream on Hulu. I was contacted by one of their producers before they began filming the documentary. They interviewed me to learn about my experience as an activist fighting for racial justice and putting an end to police brutality, both locally in the Twin Cities and nationally.
Through the interview process, they asked me to be a part of the documentary. I traveled to Los Angeles and was interviewed for multiple hours. They asked me about specific cases I’ve been involved in as an activist, rather than as a lawyer. As an activist, I organize and engage with the community, as well as confront elected officials when necessary, regarding policies, laws and practices that disproportionately affect communities of color.
There is a lack of accountability when it comes to policing in this country and police officers have too much power with little consequence. This creates a dangerous situation for our communities, as we often feel disempowered when we have negative encounters with the police. In recent years, activists on the ground have been relentless in their pursuit of justice, leading to more police officers being held accountable under the law, convicted and/or fired for the harm they have caused.
How can we encourage politicians to change the system even after they are elected into office?
I completely understand the importance of elected officials, especially Black elected officials, not forgetting the people who supported them in getting into office. Those who organized, voted and contributed financially should be the same individuals they rely on and connect with when pushing for policy decisions, law changes and advocating for the best interests of the community.
Unfortunately, too often, once politicians are in office, it becomes difficult to reach them and they may not return phone calls or be visible in the community. This lack of engagement can lead to a loss of support, making it challenging for them to take controversial stances that align with the community’s best interests. It is crucial for elected officials to put in the work to sustain their base and maintain connections with the people who helped them get elected.
As the voting public, we must stand behind politicians who are willing to take a stand and use our time, talent and resources to support those individuals who are making a difference on behalf of our communities.
