HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/16/2020 Item Amendment A, Duke
From:Juliette Duke <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Public comment for 6/16 Agenda Item 2A
Dear Mayor and Council,
I am writing today as a founding member of RaiseUp SLO, the children- focused arm of R.A.C.E
Matters, and as a black mother of our community.
I would like to remind our Mayor, City Council, staff, and the community listening to this meeting that
the demands of R.A.C.E MATTERS are not only for our generation but for the generations to come.
These are not demands directed only to our current police chief, but to the police chiefs to come. The
expectations we are setting to this council are not only for this council, these are expectations we are
setting for all future elected officials in the City of SLO. Let’s be future-focused, and look beyond the
hard work we have to do right now to the future we want for our children.
You probably didn’t run for the position you have now thinking that you would have to handle a global
pandemic or a historical social justice uprising, none of us was expecting this, but the question is, WILL
YOU STEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE. Will you say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, BLACK LIVES MATTER.
Will you make the decisions needed to secure a better future on all levels for all members of this
community? Our kids are watching.
In order to learn from our past and move into our future in a way that supports future generations, I
request the city of SLO conduct an incident review of the protests and events of June 1, 2020 when PD
used tear gas on the community. This incident review should include members of the community who
were present.
History keeps repeating itself. Black people are murdered on video by police, a police chief promises to
do better, time goes by and another black person is murdered. Our community can do better, and NOW
is the time to do it.
The arc of history may bend a little more towards justice tonight, but it’s up to you.
Thank you for your work and service, I trust that you will stand with me and my family and all the
BIPOC of our community with your decisions moving forward.
Sincerely,
Juliette Duke
SLO resident
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