Defiant cartoon jingle tries to fire up stalled-out effort to remove APD chief

The Austin Justice Coalition is clearly frustrated with city leadership, which has not responded to its request to cut $100 million in funding from the Austin Police Department and remove Chief Brian Manley (or make him resign).

Just a couple of months ago, both of these efforts had some traction after a public outcry against police use of force during anti-police-brutality protests. They picked up more momentum when the Austin City Council unanimously approved a vote of no confidence in Manley and the leadership in June.

Then a week later the conversation was effectively shut down when City Manager Spencer Cronk told the city's public safety committee Manley is committed to change. Meanwhile, it looks likely that significant police budget cuts will trickle out slowly, and may or may not reach the level of AJC's requests.

So how do you light a fire under a stagnated issue? Write a jingle!

Today, AJC posted "No Confidence in You," a short, animated video and catchy little jingle posted on its social media channels.

The first two verses are:

He looks the part, at least that's true/With silver hair and eyes of blue

Saved Austin from the bomber/Or that's what the TV said

But now he's the chief/And hey that part's a pity

It didn't take long 'til most of the city/Could tell Brian Manley was in over his head

At the end of the jingle, AJC directs viewers to sign a petition calling for Manley to resign.

"It is with enormous frustration that the undersigned groups renew our demand - after weeks of protest and major changes unanimously passed by City Council - for new leadership at the top of Austin's public safety department, and in particular our demand that you sideline Chief Brian Manley."

As of Friday afternoon, more than 5,000 people had signed it.