Protests

Protests are good but the protesters should follow up and vote, not only in the national elections but in local ones as well. The city council determine show much money the police and other city organizations receive so, if say you want to direct money away from the  police department and towards other social services, you need to work to elect representatives on the council who have the same beliefs you do.

Also, it certainly helps to attend city council meetings and make your voice heard. If the councilpeople do not hear from their constituents, they are going to vote based on their own beliefs and biases.