HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/6/2021 Item PC, Avendaño
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Maya Avendano <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Supporting the Community of SLO
Hello,
My name is Maya and I'm a third year Cal Poly student studying ecology and natural sciences, in the 93401 zip code area.
Despite this, I have a passion for mutual aid and serving and protecting my community through active political
participation and working for community gardens to help with food distributions. I am speaking as a community
member and a member of the Abolitionist Action Central Coast / People's Revolutionary Garden to voice my support for
the two core student and community demands around divesting from policing and investing in rent/mortgage/utility
relief for our communities.
There is absolutely no reason for the addition of yet another police station in SLO. Crime rates in SLO do not indicate
that this is necessary. Most of my time here in SLO, all I witness is police officers harassing and displacing unhoused
neighbors in our community. I'm highly disappointed in the city's priorities to invest in the continuation of harassment
of our houseless community, which is consistently being failed and let down by you.
In the long run, what does a police station do for our community? Are we not policed enough? Any time that I leave my
house and drive across town, I have never once not seen a police car. On average, I see about 2 cars and several
bicyclists. Why do we need to waste and pour city money into more? Your people are being let down by you as we
struggle and suffer through this pandemic with no rent relief, mortgage relief, and utility relief.
It hurts me everyday to watch the officials of my community prioritize choices that hurt me and my peers. I sincerely
hope that you reconsider your choices for the wellbeing of this community. We need access to affordable housing, rent
relief, and resources to prioritize mutual aid, care, and accountability in this town. When people are desperate for
assistance and needs, they will not stop communication. The community will continue to make ourselves heard.
Best,
--
Maya Avendaño (she/her/hers)
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Environmental Management & Protection Major
Land Restoration and Rehabilitation Ecology Minor/Wildlife Biology Concentration
maya.raziel6@gmail.com
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