Amidst so much continued sadness, anger, and frustration, this week we want to shine a light on the incredible work being done by Austin’s City-Community Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce. In a very short time period, they have already developed clear draft recommendations for transforming how Austin builds and supports safe communities. These are based on many hours of work by many community members, including women and people of color disproportionately harmed by existing social structures.
The Taskforce presented their recommendations to the public on April 7 and will be presenting them to the Mayor, City Manager, and City Council next Tuesday, April 20 (viewable by the public). As you can hear in the video, Deputy City Manager Rivera-Vandermyde applauds the group for making tangible, specific recommendations, which have the potential to make truly meaningful change in our city.
However, as you can also hear in the video, City Council’s recent approval of Manager Cronk’s blueprint for restarting APD’s Training Academy before they were scheduled to hear the Taskforce’s recommendations represents a violation of trust with the Taskforce and a threat to the Reimagining process (Full statement available under Notes from past meetings > April 7, 2021 > Statement on Cadet Class Vote)
Action 1: We need your help!
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Call or email Councilmember Kitchen to demand that she use the Taskforce’s recommendations.
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We need to make sure our City’s leaders and our fellow community members understand the value of the Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce process to our entire community. We want to make sure they do not get ignored.
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Share & discuss the recommendations with your friends/family
Action 2: Early voting begins next week (April 19-27) for the May 1 election! Our unhoused neighbors need our help.
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Vote NO on Prop B
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Volunteer with Homes Not Handcuffs to get other registered voters to do the same; options to textbank, phonebank, COVID-safe canvass
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FYI: canvassing in Circle C on Sat., with Heidi Sloan & Greg Casar on Sun., & in the Zilker area on Tues.
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Donate to Homes Not Handcuffs
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Get a “Vote No on Prop B” yard sign from Austin’s DSA
Action 3: Do you want to get more involved? Are you interested in volunteering as an organizer with D5 for Black Lives? Do you have a family member (e.g., teen) who is on social media and who is interested in racial justice? No organizing experience necessary! There is a place for everyone. Email us at info@d5forblacklives.com.
Thank you,
District 5 for Black Lives