HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlease reevaluate your budget today!
Christian, Kevin
From:Eden Knapp <edenmknapp@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 12:29 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Please reevaluate your budget today!
Dear City Council,
My name is Eden Knapp and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and a graduate of Cal Poly.
As you know, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and so many 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 funds
currently directed toward the police department to other programs, such as public schools,
community policing, community development, or even a specific diversity, equity, and inclusion
line item. I believe funds would be more helpful if directed in forming a "Community's Review
Board to hold police departments accountable and build public confidence", as NAACP has asked.
As we all witnessed at last night's peaceful protest, our police force is more than protected and had
excessive resources at hand. We do not need to funnel any more money into a program that is
already overly protected, especially in such a peaceful and supportive community.
We believe this is a very 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.
Thank you for hearing us,
Eden Knapp
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