Should I put these up? Idk. I do know where… maybe they'd kill me. Dare I ask? Is this progress? Numbers. Here they are. Economy warloads begin? I think that’s where we are, but would we save more life the other way on ourside. It seems that hate knows no love.
Dear City Council,
I am writing to strongly request you add an amendment to the budget to include the “No New Cops” amendment requested by the Solidarity Budget that will divest from SPD $10 million more. While, I do not think this goes far enough. It is a step in the right direction and politically smart.
As you know, I have talked in public comment. (I am still looking for a follow up as the council indicated.)
I am now on a first name basis with SPD as a protester. Just last night they flashed their lights at me while I was car camping in my BLM van for no apparent reason late at night; the harassment continues. I was ticketed earlier in the week by parking enforcement even though they know I live in my vehicle and no tickets had been given previously while parked at Cal Anderson.
Last week, Kel Murphy was critically injured (reports from protesters are that he may never walk or talk again). Showing SPD and their department arms continue to abuse their power. They were laughing and claiming victory after attacking Kel in a video from that night: https://twitter.com/ColorDecourage/status/1324252239565778944.
Only a significant action might curb their continued abuse of power. The No New Cops reduction of $10 million is that. Currently, the budget leaves room to hire MORE cops and increase the force. Diaz has already created a CRG team that was instrumental in attacking Kel in overwhelming force (a change in tactics that night).
I personally think the council would be good to include no overtime pay also, and move money into transparency such as hiring an outside police chief and producing body cam footage in a timely manner around protests (one week or less); if indeed this is an issue of labor not being enough to accomplish this, money would be better spent here than hiring more sworn officers. (We have to consider who they may be hiring at this time of public unrest, and who might seek to be a police officer in these revolutionary times.)
The people have spoken, and they will be petitioning the public come next election. The police union is already proposed an initiative and the protesters in the street are surely to create one also. This will bring many Black Lives Matter supporters to the voting booth, and it is in your best interest to be seen on the side of the people because as this previous election indicates young people are mobilized and showing up to vote in record numbers now.
Do the right thing. Be on the right side of morality, and strongly side with the protesters who have been killed, maimed, sexually assaulted, beaten, harassed, and had their equipment taken into “evidence” including bullet proof vest, megaphones, and helmets (which could of saved Kel’s life from being forever altered).
The time is NOW, and the city council must be for the people and those disenfranchised instead of the historically racist organizations and big corporations.
I respectfully request you uphold your promise and work towards divesting from SPD with the No More Cop amendment that divests an additional $10 million from SPD.
Thank you,
Daniel Clark