Marathon City Council meeting

City Council members were deluged with hundreds of people who wanted to talk about policing... They listened for more than 7 hours last night.

200 people joined chattanooga's virtual city council meeting last night, to say they want to defund the police department.

Most of them have been marching for social justice over the last two weeks.

News 12's winston reed tells us about the changes they'd like to make.

Take pkg: protesters took their message from the streets, to the city council meeting tuesday night.

"invest in our youth centers, free and reduced cost of summer programming.

Pre-school and early learner programs. restorative justice programs and increased investment to public transportation and carta."

On monday, hamilton county sheriff jim hammond told us that there is no solid replacement to law enforcement.

"i haven't heard anybody come up with something that takes the place of peace and order."

But katie laughter told council members we need more professionals dealing with problems before police.

She is a former family counselor, herself.

"if there was a mental health crisis, if there was a domestic violence situation, they would call me first and i would decide if police intervention is necessary."

Geoff meldahl of the democratic socialists of america says trained social workers can be a solution.

"somebody who's unarmed and not associated in the mind of the community with violent results."

Council members listened to people for more than seven hours, ending after 1 a-m.

In the end, they agreed that changes need to come.

All over the country, people are posting their opinions on changes need to come.

All over the country, people are posting their