HomeMy WebLinkAboutThis is Your Change to Make
Christian, Kevin
From:Karina Nichole Williams <kwilli82@calpoly.edu>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 2:47 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:This is Your Change to Make
Dear City Council,
My name is Karina Williams and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and a student at Cal Poly. I am also one of
the handful of black students from 2020's graduating class who will soon become an alumni of California
Polytechnic State University, here in your city. And I am asking for change.
As you know, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and so many unnamed others
have been killed because of our country’s systematically racist criminal justice system. This system is broken,
but you can help begin to mend it.
In light of these events, we ask that in today’s review of the 2020-21 budget, you reallocate some of the funds
currently directed toward the police department to other programs and alternative forms of policing, such as
community policing, community development, or even a specific diversity, equity, and inclusion line item. There
are countless programs that need more funding than they have ever received and many of them surround
underprivileged students of color that the system fails time and time again.
We believe this is a small request to begin to address the massive inequities and systems of oppression that
have been perpetuated by governmental inaction. Though this will not fix the problem, it will move our city in a
positive direction and demonstrate a tangible commitment to addressing systematic racism. Cal Poly has
taught me to learn by doing and today, I am doing what I can to ask you for help to make a change in a
community I care deeply for.
Thank you for all you do for the City of San Luis Obispo and for your consideration.
All the best,
Karina Williams
Karina Williams, English Undergraduate
She / Her / Hers
California Polytechnic State University | San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 | 805-756-2400
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