Natalie Portman explains how she initially ‘feared’ #DeFundThePolice but now she supports it

Actress Natalie Portman has said she supports the Defund The Police movement after educating herself – admitting she was initially fearful of it.  

The star, 38, took to Instagram on Monday, sharing resources that explain the movement in detail following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police on May 25.

The Lucy In The Sky star admitted that, ‘My whole life, police have made me feel safe. But that’s exactly the center of my white privilege: the police make me as a white woman feel safe, while my black friends, family and neighbors feel the opposite: police make them feel terror.’ 

Support: Natalie Portman revealed she first feared the #DeFundThePolice movement, but after educating herself more, she now supports it

Artwork: Portman, 38, took to Instagram on Monday, sharing artwork and a number of images and resources that explain the #DeFundThePolice movement more fully

Artwork: Portman, 38, took to Instagram on Monday, sharing artwork and a number of images and resources that explain the #DeFundThePolice movement more fully

Artwork: Portman, 38, took to Instagram on Monday, sharing artwork and a number of images and resources that explain the #DeFundThePolice movement more fully

She added that this feeling is ‘for good reason’ adding that, ‘police are the sixth leading cause of death for black men in this country. 

‘These are not isolated incidents. They are patterns and part of the system of over-policing of black Americans. Reforms have not worked,’ the actress continued.

She added that Minneapolis, where George Floyd was murdered, ‘is one of the most progressive police forces in the country, having undergone extensive anti-bias training.’

Good reason: She added that this feeling is 'for good reason' adding that, 'police are the 6th leading cause of death for black men in this country

Good reason: She added that this feeling is ‘for good reason’ adding that, ‘police are the 6th leading cause of death for black men in this country

Progressive: She added that Minneapolis, where George Floyd was murdered, 'is one of the most progressive police forces in the country, having undergone extensive anti-bias training'

Progressive: She added that Minneapolis, where George Floyd was murdered, ‘is one of the most progressive police forces in the country, having undergone extensive anti-bias training’

‘I am grateful to the leaders who have made us question the status quo,’ Portman added.

‘And who have made us imagine, what a world could be like in which we invested in nourishing people; (in their education, healthcare, environment, shelter)— rather than putting all of our money into punishment,’ she continued.

‘I’ve gotten to the age in my life, where if my gut feels uncomfortable, I take the situation as wrong. But this concept initially made me uncomfortable because I was wrong. Because the system that makes me feel comfortable is wrong,’ the actress said.

Grateful: 'I am grateful to the leaders in the'who have made us question the status quo,' Portman added.

Grateful: ‘I am grateful to the leaders in the’who have made us question the status quo,’ Portman added.

She also included ‘additional resources’ from The Slacktivists that explained what ‘defunding the police’ really meant.

While many believe this movement wants to get rid of the police entirely, it really means, ‘reducing police budgets (& power) on a local and state level and investing that money directly into poor communities of color through public services.’

‘One of reasons this is gaining so much momentum is because police reforms aren’t working, since Minneapolis was seen as such a progressive police department before the George Floyd murder.’

Not working: One of reasons this is gaining so much momentum is because police reforms aren't working, since Minneapolis was seen as such a progressive police department before the George Floyd murder

Not working: One of reasons this is gaining so much momentum is because police reforms aren’t working, since Minneapolis was seen as such a progressive police department before the George Floyd murder

Natalie also added resources for how you can enact change in your own city, which includes making demands to mayors and city councils to ‘reject city budgets with expanded & militarized police budgets.’

She also suggests to contact your city’s Independent Budget Office to learn about ‘budget literacy’ while also providing a ‘script’ to use in your phone calls and/or emails.

Portman also included sources for the information she provided, along with additional reading resources for those who want to learn more.

Resources: She also added resources for how you can enact change in your own city, which includes making demands to mayors and city councils to 'reject city budgets with expanded & militarized police budgets'

Resources: She also added resources for how you can enact change in your own city, which includes making demands to mayors and city councils to ‘reject city budgets with expanded & militarized police budgets’

Learn more: Portman also included sources for the information she provided, along with additional reading resources for those who want to learn more

Learn more: Portman also included sources for the information she provided, along with additional reading resources for those who want to learn more