HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-21 budget (19)Dear City Council,
My name is Kendall Warther and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and a Political Science student at Cal Poly. As a Political Science student, I am highly active in the political sphere.
I am aware of how government works and I exercise my right to vote. I have co-authored and lobbied a California state bill which was signed into law last October. I have testified in
front of a Senate committee in Sacramento. I volunteer at numerous nonprofit organizations, serve as a committee member on campus for a group whose goal is to prevent gender and power
based violence, and have held the position of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chairperson within my sorority for two years. I have advocated for those who are unable to advocate for
themselves and have fought to create more equal opportunity in education, housing, and more. I care about the people of California and hope to one day be in a greater position of power,
as you are, so that I may help others.
As you know, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and numerous others who have been murdered due to our country’s systemic racism. In light of these events, I ask
that in today’s review of the 2020-21 budget, you reallocate some of the funds currently directed toward the police department to other programs and alternative forms of policing, such
as community policing, community development, and a specific diversity, equity, and inclusion line item. Please use your power for good.
I believe this is a small request to begin to address the massive inequities and systems of oppression that have been perpetuated by governmental inaction. Though this will not fix the
problem, it will move our city in a positive direction and demonstrate a tangible commitment to addressing systematic racism.
Thank you for all you do for the City of San Luis Obispo, as well as for your time and consideration.
All the best,
Kendall Warther