HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLO COUNTY OFFICIALS
Christian, Kevin
From:Courtney Schmidt <courtrms99@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 2:03 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:SLO COUNTY OFFICIALS
Dear City Council,
My name is Courtney Schmidt and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and a student at Cuesta College. Thanks to my
recent college political science teacher, one of the best teachers I have ever had in my years of education, I understand
how the policies of our founding fathers oppress the black people, and other people of color, across our country.
Our country was founded on the ideals of racism and slavery, and we have yet to begin truly dismantling the irony of a
‘free’ country who’s laws were formed at the time where a human being could be considered less than a whole man.
Our police force was founded on the premise of returning humans as ‘property’ to white people.
I was 12 when Trayvon Martin was a murdered for a bag of skittles in his hand, I am 21 now and IM TIRED of fighting for
the human rights that boy deserved. Trayvon Martin deserved to be here with me today, Trayvon Martin deserved to
eat his skittles, he deserved a future, he deserved someone to be rightfully charged with his murder, and yet we still
have to fight the lives for innocent people like him, 9 years later. I can’t imagine waiting any longer to demand equity
and justice.
Even further I’m shocked that our police force is allowed to use tear gas, a weapon of which has been BANNED in war,
against citizens peacefully assembling to bring light to the obvious racism and oppression due to the murder of George
Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and so many unnamed others.
In light of these events, we 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, or even a specific diversity, equity, and inclusion line item.
We 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.
San Luis Obispo should be the happiest place on Earth for everyone, despite color or belief. Thank you for all you do for
the City of San Luis Obispo, I look forward to seeing changes.
All the best,
Courtney Schmidt
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