HomeMy WebLinkAboutRevision of 2020-2021 Budget
Christian, Kevin
From:Sanjana Gundala <gundala@calpoly.edu>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 12:46 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Revision of 2020-2021 Budget
Dear City Council,
My name is Sanjana Gundala and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and a student at Cal Poly.
As you know, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and so many unnamed others
have been killed because of our country’s systematically racist criminal justice system.
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.
I saw many videos of the actions taken by the police in San Luis Obispo yesterday and it angered me to see
police officers kneel with the protesters to show support and then tear gas those same protesters later that day. I
have always viewed San Luis Obispo to be a safe community. As a minority I have felt out of place before,
however I have never felt like a target, until yesterday. Seeing the SLOPD so easily turn on those protesters and
students made me feel like San Luis Obispo isn't as safe as thought it was. It made me feel like as a dark
skinned minority I could be a target.
Thank you for all you do for the City of San Luis Obispo and for your consideration.
All the best,
Sanjana Gundala
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Sanjana Gundala
Computer Science Undergraduate
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
gundala@calpoly.edu | 510.304.7094
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