Members of this council, the mayor, and OPD have been urging protestors to remain peaceful and to refrain from destroying property. Yesterday, a protest of around 15,000 people organized by Oakland youth did exactly that. We did what you asked, now you need to listen to what we're asking. Please stop allocating increasing percentages of the city's budget to policing and OPD and instead invest in initiatives that build up the community and reduce crime in the first place. This means more money for assistance to the unhoused, public health, parks and recreation, and education/youth programs. SO much more good could be done by putting money into programs that serve the community. I know the police union is powerful but isn't Oakland supposed to be brave and visionary enough to imagine a better way of doing things? "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) Right now it definitely doesn't seem like your heart is with the people of Oakland.
I am appalled by the behavior of this city last night in its violent response to a peaceful and well organized youth-led protest of police violence. It is indefensible and inexcusable. The proposed budget cuts before the council -- vastly reducing expenditures for Human Services, Race & Equity, and Youth Development/Parks & Rec, while leaving intact the (already grossly inflated) budget for OPD -- is unethical, immoral, unjust, and unwise. If your goal is to reduce violence in the city, the police are the chief perpetrators. Countless studies have shown that investing in community welfare and youth services are the MOST EFFECTIVE way to increase community safety. It is not a mystery. It is WAY PAST TIME to reallocate our city's resources to invest in the well-being of the people -- housing, healthcare, food security, youth development, and racial justice. The money is there, it is just being spent in the wrong place. De-militarize and de-fund the police. Serve and care for the people.
Members of this council, the mayor, and OPD have been urging protestors to remain peaceful and to refrain from destroying property. Yesterday, a protest of around 15,000 people organized by Oakland youth did exactly that. We did what you asked, now you need to listen to what we're asking. Please stop allocating increasing percentages of the city's budget to policing and OPD and instead invest in initiatives that build up the community and reduce crime in the first place. This means more money for assistance to the unhoused, public health, parks and recreation, and education/youth programs. SO much more good could be done by putting money into programs that serve the community. I know the police union is powerful but isn't Oakland supposed to be brave and visionary enough to imagine a better way of doing things? "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) Right now it definitely doesn't seem like your heart is with the people of Oakland.
I am appalled by the behavior of this city last night in its violent response to a peaceful and well organized youth-led protest of police violence. It is indefensible and inexcusable. The proposed budget cuts before the council -- vastly reducing expenditures for Human Services, Race & Equity, and Youth Development/Parks & Rec, while leaving intact the (already grossly inflated) budget for OPD -- is unethical, immoral, unjust, and unwise. If your goal is to reduce violence in the city, the police are the chief perpetrators. Countless studies have shown that investing in community welfare and youth services are the MOST EFFECTIVE way to increase community safety. It is not a mystery. It is WAY PAST TIME to reallocate our city's resources to invest in the well-being of the people -- housing, healthcare, food security, youth development, and racial justice. The money is there, it is just being spent in the wrong place. De-militarize and de-fund the police. Serve and care for the people.