HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/16/2020 Item Public Comment, Butler
From:Hannah Butler <
To:CityClerk
Subject:Public Comment-SLO City Council Meeting
My name is Hannah Butler, I live and work in San Luis Obispo. I read over tonight's agenda and want to comment on
some issues I feel will not be addressed.
First, I wanted to acknowledge some concerns regarding the early stages of the Black Lives Matter movement in SLO.
One of the first protests in SLO was "peaceful" and resulted in tear gas and fire crackers. I still do not see how this is
justifiable. Maybe I missed a notice, but as far as I could tell from the DA and Chief of Police, they wrote this off as
permissible due to protestors being "riotous and unlawful." This city has a lot of great leadership and community
members and it seems like police have been working with protesters following this but there needs to be accountability
for these previous actions. We have not forgotten.
I am also concerned about the readily made availability of paramilitary gear for law enforcement. It was concerning to
see how fast law enforcement was able to arrive beyond equipped-and for what reason? To instill fear in citizens
exercising their first amendment right? I had no idea SLO even had that many police officers let alone equipment. Where
have these resources been for the countless sexual assaults this city struggles with? If we used the same force that was
used against those protesters maybe young women would feel safe in this city. I fear too often this city sweeps things
under the rug in order to maintain its "Happiest City in America" status.
I see the 8 can't wait presentation and hope it was a presentation explaining how SLO PD will now be following these
policies. I also hope that you respond to RACE Matters demands. I think creating a civilian review board for police is
more than overdue. Funds need to be reallocated from law enforcement and incarceration to community services,
mental health, and community non-profits.
And one last comment, aside from police brutality, we are still in a pandemic. We are currently in Stage 2 of reopening
so I do not understand how the bars downtown were able to open this past weekend? Please correct me if I'm wrong,
but allowing the downtown scene to operate at normal in no way adheres to physical distancing guidelines and seems
completely irresponsible. I understand the economic burden, but that should not overshadow the seriousness of this
virus.
Thanks for your time,
Hannah Butler
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