HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/14/2020 Item 3, Kramer
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Izzy Kramer <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Public Comment for Investment Oversight Committee Meeting
Hello,
I am writing to voice my support for the SLO Divest from the War Machine Campaign. As a constituent
committed to building an equitable and sustainable city, I want to voice my support for Mayor Heidi
Harmon and the City Council in divesting the City of San Luis Obispo from weapons manufacturers. We
can be leaders in climate justice and set a national example by rejecting the influence of the war
economy and investing our money in socially responsible, green, and life-affirming alternatives. We can
grow a local peace economy right here in San Luis Obispo.
In countless ways, the City of San Luis Obispo has proven its deep commitment to sustainability, peace,
social justice, and community health. Our city government has already shown immense leadership on
addressing climate change by divesting from fossil fuels. As a city committed to sustainability and peace,
however, we must also recognize tackling climate change requires
cutting our financial ties to war. By doing so we can continue to lead and demonstrate the power of
aligning our investment practices with our values of sustainability and social justice.
If we move our investments away from weapons companies which are not only responsible for death
and destruction but also environmental degradation, we can reinvest our money into sustainability,
food, housing, education, community health, and other basic needs. We can invest locally to combat
gender, race, sexuality, and disability based discrimination, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other
public health issues our community faces. We can create jobs by
transitioning to clean energy and rebuilding our nation’s crumbling infrastructure. Our city’s funding
does not need to rely on investments in companies whose profits depend on killing, destruction, and
environmental degradation.
Thank you,
Isabel Kramer
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