HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncilJointStatementDepartment Name: Council
Cost Center: 1002
For Agenda of: June 16, 2020
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Council Members Andy Pease and Erica A. Stewart
SUBJECT: JOINT STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT EVENTS FROM
COUNCIL MEMBERS PEASE AND STEWART
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file a joint Council statement prepared by Council Members Andy Pease and Erica
A. Stewart regarding recent tragic events, the community’s response, and intentions to address
past and current systemic racism.
DISCUSSION
In response to the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery in addition
to ongoing injustices in our nation, City Council Members Pease and Stewart have put forth the
following statement to address the City’s intentions to address past and current systemic racism.
This statement reflects a unifying message from our City Council Members that encompasses the
City’s gratitude for our community’s compassion and desire for change, as well as gratitude to our
community partners whom we look forward to working alongside to create a more diverse,
equitable and inclusive San Luis Obispo.
Attachments:
a – Council Statement on Protests and Policing
Amendment Item C
City Council Statement on Protests and Policing
As your elected officials, we would like to address the community regarding recent tragic events,
the community response, and our intentions to address past and current systemic racism.
We recognize that the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery are
reflective of ongoing injustices. We are seeing the nation mourn along with the Black community
as we reflect on the tragic losses of life due to racism. We personally are feeling great sadness as
we witness the sadness, despair, and anger that our Black community is feeling. To the Black
members of our community, we are here for you and will support you. We are beginning to
understand that white privilege is based on centuries of racism, inequity, and oppression. This
council commits to partner with the Black community, to listen, to learn, and to follow their lead
to make the changes that must be made. Black Lives Matter.
We are fortunate to have a community with compassion and a desire to change. Thank you to the
thousands of people who have come together peacefully to protest, rally, march, write letters, lead
discussions, and speak out against the violence of racism. Thank you to the students and youth
who bring extreme passion and leadership to move us forward. We know you will continue to ask
the hard questions and keep us accountable. Thank you for demanding that we do better and be
better.
Many have questions about specific actions during the protests on June 1 and broader questions
about the police department’s overall policies and procedures. We also have questions and want
to know more. When Chief Cantrell joined this community four years ago, she and her team
collaborated with many community partners rooted in different races, ethnicities, and religions,
engaging the community as a whole and cultivating inclusion. We have confidence that our police
chief and the department are committed to a collaborative process of review and change.
We are grateful for our community partners who always step up and share in the work, holding
each other accountable but never leaving the conversation: Cal Poly, Cuesta College, San Luis
Coastal Unified School District, the SLO Chamber of Commerce, Downtown SLO, service groups
and so many more. We humbly acknowledge our circle has not been open enough and gratefully
welcome more partners to the table. We will be starting a diversity taskforce to bring our partners
together to create a more welcoming, just, and inclusive community. As a council, we are
committed to economic and community recovery that is grounded in equity.
In these past few months, we have seen our dedicated city staff step up and help the community
come together, stay safe and plan for moving forward. The ral lies, marches, emails, and calls for
change have moved our entire team; we know we need to look at everything we do to be more
inclusive. Together, we are committed to the success of our city.
Thank you for trusting local government; we join with you in believing in democracy. We are truly
humbled and grateful to serve.
Amendment Item C