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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLO needs to change_ Christian, Kevin From:Audrey Spitzer <audreyspitzer@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 12:42 PM To:E-mail Council Website Subject:SLO needs to change. Dear City Council, My name is Audrey Spitzer and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and a student at Cal Poly. Let me preface this message by saying that San Luis Obispo can not wait for others to pioneer change. We can not stand by and do little to nothing while Black individuals are being murdered in the streets. As a predominantly white community, we need to CHECK OUR PRIVILEGE and use it to dismantle the inherent racism that runs through our country. I urge you make real moves towards changing our city and creating a community for all. 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 towards 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. I understand that budgets are difficult and many factors come into play, but this should now, more than ever, be a top priority. 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. Thank you for all you do for the City of San Luis Obispo and for your consideration. Please use your position of power for good -- do not let your city down. All the best, Audrey Spitzer 1