A Year of Progress, Resistance, and Hope

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on the tremendous work we’ve accomplished together as a community- Our collective efforts are making waves in Durham and beyond. As we gear up for the challenges and victories that await us in 2025, we wanted to take a moment to update you on the progress we’ve made this year, highlight key moments, and share our vision for the future.

In January 2024, Durham County Child Protective Services (CPS) had 247 children in custody. By November 2024, we saw that number drop to 192, with two months where no children were taken into custody. This is a direct result of the community power we’ve been building—together, we are showing Durham that families belong together.

Our focus this year has been on holding the Family Police accountable and building alliances to stop the kidnapping of our children. We are not just fighting against individual cases, but actively working to change the systems that make this separation possible. We've made strides in educating the community and organizing for long-term change.

Building Political Alliances

This year, we formed a political alliance with the People's Alliance to hold elected officials accountable, change harmful policies, and educate the community. The fight for justice doesn’t end with one policy change—but leads to a complete transformation of how Durham and North Carolina treat families. Join us for our next Child & Family Coalition meeting on January 20, 2024 @ 7pm at the People Solidarity Hub.

Parent Defense

When we first began advocating for families in 2022, parent defense in Durham was virtually nonexistent. Attorneys were not talking to parents, were rarely filing motions on their behalf, and, all too often, seemed to be working against parents vs for them. While parent defense remains weak in Durham, we are encouraged by the emergence of Carolina Parent Defenders—a newly formed organization dedicated to providing holistic legal representation for parents.

Black Mothers March on the White House

Our 3rd Annual Black Mothers March, held on May 12, 2024, brought families together from across the country to march in defense of families impacted by the Family Police. This march is a pivotal moment in our movement, and we are already planning for next year. Save the date for the 4th Annual Black Mothers March on May 11, 2025—we need as many of you as possible to join us in this important act of resistance and solidarity.

Challenging Closed Courts in Durham

In November 2024, Civil Rights Corps filed a federal lawsuit against Judge Doretta Walker and Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, challenging the practice of closing Durham County’s courtrooms to the public. The right to witness and participate in these proceedings is critical for holding the system accountable. We urge you to stay informed as this lawsuit unfolds—it’s a key moment in the fight for transparency and justice in our courts.

Advocacy at the State Level

We’ve also continued to advocate for change at the state level through the NC Civil Rights Advisory Committee, which is investigating the civil rights implications of North Carolina’s child welfare system. Several families, advocates, and academics testified this year about the harm caused by the current system, and we will be closely following the committee’s report as it’s finalized. Your continued support is essential in ensuring that the truth about CPS is heard and acted upon.

Attacking the Narrative

The film To Be Invisible, produced by Myah Overstreet, has gained national attention. The film, which documents the experiences of families in Durham County, was featured on the New Yorker website and has had screenings in Philadelphia, California, Durham, and even at the Sundance Film Festival. This powerful work continues to raise awareness and ignite conversations about the real harm being done by CPS.

Watch Our Response to CPS’ Propaganda Video

At the close of this year, we are sharing an important new video in response to a Durham CPS video that falsely claims they are working to keep families together. We know the truth: CPS is separating families, and it’s time for that to stop.

In this video, we expose the truth behind Durham Family Policing operations and hear directly from families who have been harmed by their policies. Watch the full video below and share it with your family during this holiday season—it’s time the public sees the real story.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we step into 2025, Operation Stop CPS remains deeply rooted in Durham, NC. Our work to dismantle the local Family Policing System and challenge the harmful practices of the family police will continue to be at the forefront of our efforts. But we know that this fight extends far beyond our city—it's a national movement, and we are stronger when we come together with other organizations and advocates working to end family policing across the country.

We highly recommend checking out Movement for Family Power (MFP), a Family Policing Movement Hub that connects activists, advocates, and organizations focused on ending the criminalization and separation of families. MFP has been at the forefront of advocating for family-centered policies, challenging the systems that harm our communities, and providing resources to those on the front lines.

MFP's website is a valuable resource—featuring educational materials, toolkits, and a list of organizations working to stop family policing. It’s a space where we can all learn, collaborate, and take collective action to protect families from the violence of child welfare systems.

We encourage you to visit Movement for Family Power's website to:

• Explore the resource list for more information on family defense and organizing strategies.

• Donate to support their ongoing work in the movement to end family policing.

• Buy some merch to show your solidarity and help fund this critical work.

Every contribution, whether it’s time, money, or spreading the word, helps to build a stronger movement. Together, we can continue to fight for a world where families are supported, not surveilled; where our children are not treated as property of the state.

With strength and solidarity,
Operation Stop CPS