HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/2020 Item 13, Pernich
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Hannah Perinich <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Public Comment 11/17/20
Dear San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Hannah Perinich and I am commenting on this evening’s City Council meeting on November 17,
2020. As a student at Cal Poly, a resident of San Luis Obispo, a worker, and an activist for Black Lives Matter Community
Action, I offer support of item 13 to approve funding for High Impact DE&I programs in San Luis Obispo. Allocating
$109,800 of grant funding to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs would create a more equitable and welcoming San
Luis Obispo for all people, especially people of color. This action is a helpful step in the direction of equality and
community.
Additionally, I offer a comment on item 14, the discussion of the San Luis Obispo city budget. As states, counties,
and cities around the nation reckon with systemic racism and police brutality that are and have been detrimental to
people of color, it is important that San Luis Obispo does not get left behind in these conversations. I support divesting
from the San Luis Obispo Police Department and investing those funds into community organizations that reduce
poverty, homelessness, and crime, which in turn decreases the need for policing. Possible organizations to reallocate
those funds to are the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs (including funding a Multicultural Center), local
homeless outreach programs (40 Prado, CAPSLO, TMHA, etc.), and RISE SLO (offers services to victims of sexual assault,
and provides sexual assault prevention). This list is by no means all-encompassing; there are many other organizations in
SLO that support the community. Divesting from the police and investing in community care is essential in creating a
world of equality and justice.
Thank you for taking the time to read my comments.
Sincerely,
Hannah Perinich
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