AgdaPkt 2020-10-05 Special Study Session

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From: Amelia H To: GRP -City Council Subject: Public Comment on Agenda 4A for CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA STUDY SESSION (10.5.20) Date: Monday, October 5, 2020 1:08:36 PM Dear City Manager and members of the City Council, My name is Amelia, a resident of Redwood City, and I am writing in to express my disappointment and confusion over the Staff Report on racial equity, city services and policing. The recommendations in the report do NOT reflect the feedback of the PCRC listening sessions. According to the Stanford report on the PCRC sessions, the most frequent request was "Descoping/Defending Police," which was mentioned over 60 times. In addition, 75% of participants in the PCRC sessions expressed they are concerned that the city will only take symbolic action or make minimal gestures of change regarding systemic racism. Based on the staff report, it appears these fears are justified. The staff report did not even list police defunding as one of the top five categories of feedback, despite being the single most common request. I am worried that the City Council is under the false impression that a) Redwood City is not impacted by systemic racism and b) these issues can be hand -waved away with positive thinking. However, as you have consistently heard from residents, this is far from the case. Many members of our community have bravely come forward in the last several months to share their personal experiences at the hands of the police. Even more distressingly, the council's lack of action is already emboldening neo-Nazis and other dangerous far - right extremists. Roughly two weeks ago, there was a "Back the Blue" rally in downtown Redwood City where participants carried signs proclaiming, "Black Lives Murder." At this rally, a counter -protester was arrested by a Redwood City police officer for jaywalking, while maskless agitators could walk in the streets as they pleased and even stage a photo op in the middle of Broadway. Based on this alarming display, it is impossible to say Redwood City does not have significant issues with racism and police abuse in our community. I understand this is a listening session and no decisions will be made tonight. That is why I am commenting now, while decisions can still be changed. Please listen to your fellow community members. This problem is not going to go away on its own. We need real change that starts with defunding the police. Thank you, Amelia R.