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2010APA Founded
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2013Helped Launch #StandUpForLeon Campaign
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2015Inaugural Advocacy is Love Class
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2017Police Removed from Woodland Hills School District
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2019Received More Than $200,000 in Grant Support from Pittsburgh Area Foundations
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2020Partnered with the Allegheny County Black Activist/Organizer Collective
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202166k+ Signatures Collected for Ballot Referendums
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2021Developed First Strategic Plan
The Alliance for Police Accountability (APA) emerged from a pivotal moment in Pittsburgh’s history. In 2010, the brutal beating of 18-year-old Jordan Miles by three white undercover police officers shook the Homewood community to its core. Seeking accountability for the officers involved and justice for a community that lost one of their own to pervasive police brutality that continues to sweep the nation, a diverse coalition of activists, local leaders, and organizations came together, forming the Alliance for Police Accountability.
APA is a direct response to the urgent need for justice and accountability in Pittsburgh’s criminal justice system, existing to empower communities through inspiring cultural shifts, catalyzing action, and championing equity in education and grassroots mobilization.
As we center our work around reducing the destructive impact that current criminal justice policies have on the lives of individuals, families, and communities, we continue to challenge hostile policing and the over-reliance on incarceration and extreme punishment. We aim to create safe communities where all people experience an equitable quality of life.
Core Values
At APA, we challenge the notion that any system is beyond scrutiny and reform. We firmly believe every system can be improved, and we actively work towards dismantling harmful practices and structures within the criminal justice system.
Present where Black lives intersect with law enforcement: on the streets, in schools, and even in custody. APA bridges the gap between communities and policymakers, driving transformation in law enforcement interactions for BIPOC communities.
Recognizing the strength of organizing young people and actively collaborating with community-based institutions, activists, and elected officials, APA empowers communities through education, resources, and opportunities for engagement, fostering active participation and collective action to create meaningful change.
APA values the expertise that comes from lived experiences and understands those who are directly impacted possess the insights needed to ensure advocacy efforts remain grounded in reality and responsive to the pronounced needs of the community.
Equity is the fundamental principle that guides how we strive to address the disparities that exist within the criminal justice system. By ensuring equitable treatment and fair representation, we work to build a society where all can thrive, regardless of one’s identity or socioeconomic status.
Justice is at the core of our mission. Through our work, we seek to hold accountable those who abuse their power, promote transparency in the legal process, and fight for the rights of victims. By pursuing justice, we aim to restore dignity, trust, and healing within our communities.