HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Need for Change
Christian, Kevin
From:Abi <ajoypalompo@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 12:10 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:The Need for Change
Dear City Council,
My name is Abi Palompo 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.
Additionally, peaceful protests all around the country, including in San Luis Obispo, have been met with a violent
response from law enforcement. I have recently seen video footage of law enforcement shooting pepper rounds,
throwing stun grenades and macing sitting protestors. How do you expect us to protest peacefully if our police are
being non peaceful?! Law enforcement is supposed to protect and serve the community, not harm people who are
striving to make a change. I am so hurt and saddened to see this happen in San Luis Obispo, a city that I truly love and
admire for the kindness of the people. I am so disappointed and heartbroken that our city resorted to use violence
against their own people. As a resident of San Luis Obispo I demand that our law enforcement face radical change and
that our city leaders seek to make that change.
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.
Thank you for all you do for the City of San Luis Obispo and for your consideration.
All the best,
Abi Palompo
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Orfalea College of Business
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