Best Coalition

Nashville activists have been calling for some form of civilian oversight of the police for decades, but the most recent iteration was inspired by the police shooting of Jocques Clemmons in February 2017. Activists demanding accountability for Clemmons’ death soon formed a coalition called Community Oversight Now. The effort stalled at the Metro Council, but the activists carried on and embarked on a months-long petition drive to force a citywide referendum on creating a community oversight board. The group was successful in bringing the question to a referendum, and on Nov. 6 Nashvillians will have the chance to vote on that question. In the meantime, the city has seen another police officer shoot a fleeing black man, and the coalition’s efforts look more vital by the day. STEVEN HALE

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