In a protest situation, even though peaceful, crowds can become unpredictable placing the horse in harm's way. This was witnessed last week when a brick was thrown at a horse's face in Dallas, TX, causing injury. There are other ways to gauge crowd size that are less expensive and do not put these animals in danger (i.e., drone).

We got yet another reminder of the crying need for effective and powerful civilian oversight of the police from both the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the brutal overreactions of police departments across the country to the resulting demonstrations. But Oakland has the potential to be different and to lead the way for the rest of the country. Although we have a strong community-led police commission to oversee our police department, the City Administration’s resistance has hobbled the Commission. The Commission’s powers need to be clarified in a new ballot measure that would further amend the City Charter. The Coalition for Police Accountability has partnered with the Police Commission to create a joint Charter amendment that will allow the Commission to be truly effective in ensuring that the Oakland Police Department is firmly and permanently dedicated to constitutional policing. When this Charter amendment is enacted, we will finally be able to transition from federal court oversight through the NSA to local oversight by the Commission. Those who see political advantage in opposing progressive reform have been promoting the idea that the Commission is trying to enlarge its power and interfere with the operations of the Police Department. That is simply not true. Please look carefully at the changes we are proposing and evaluate them for yourselves. The main changes from current law that the Coalition and the Police Commission are proposing are as follows: 1. The Commission can hire its own attorneys who will report to it and not the City Attorney. 2. The Commission will be able to hire an Inspector General who will audit the police department and be able to recommend policy changes to the Commission. 3. The Commission will have access to all police department records and files. 4. The Commission will be able to impose discipline in cases where the investigations have not been completed in time or when required body camera footage has not been a component of the investigation. We want the Police Commission/Coalition draft adopted–there is strong community support for it. District 1 residents are asking Councilmember Dan Kalb and Council President Rebecca Kaplan to please move forward with these important changes. We are living through unprecedented times that demand bolder action by the Oakland City Council.

Based on current statistics in the United States, kids represent only 3.5% of confirmed cases and only .01% of deaths! In Kentucky, there has been ONE death in the 29 and under category – and that death, of a 6 month old – the one referenced in the June 5th Board meeting - based on admission from our Governor was not directly due to the virus. “While COVID-19 was not the lead cause of death, Beshear said, it will be counted in the coronavirus death toll, as has been custom.” https://www.wlky.com/article/coronavirus-contributed-to-death-of-kentucky-9-month-old-governor-says/32759141 Yet, in the effort to ostensibly protect them from this virus that is virtually non-existent in kids, we are instead willing to guarantee long-term damage to 100% of our student body?! We have “flattened the curve” here in Kentucky – but the reaction to this virus has robbed our kids of a normalcy that is imperative to their OVERALL health. And now, it is time to stop with these drastic measures that have already caused– and WILL continue to cause - harm to our kids. Of course we want our children to be safe and healthy!! Besides their physical health, though, we have to consider what will provide the best opportunity for academic achievement… and we HAVE to consider their social, emotional, and mental health. • Kids need structure. • They need adults - in addition to their parents – to help guide them. • They need socialization and peer interaction. • They need to be able to see facial expressions and for their facial expressions to be seen. • They need in-person instruction – they need their teachers! • They need sports and extra-curriculars – coaches, leaders, teammates, structured physical and recreational activity. • They need to be IN school, with their friends. It seems that the decisions being made are fear and liability driven, rather than being data driven or in the best interest of our kids. The data does NOT support the measures being considered and the current proposal does not allow for parent choice. If liability is a big concern, have parents sign a waiver! And allow parents that want their child to wear a mask or want to opt for virtual attendance, to do so. Everybody wins. Their OVERALL HEALTH should be the consideration of this administration and school board. And WE, as parents, are the ones that have a FRONT ROW SEAT to how all of this is affecting them. PLEASE LISTEN. WE NEED TO BE HEARD.

The murders of George Floyd, Sean Monterrosa, Stephon Clark, Oscar Grant and many, many other instances of racism, brutality and murder by police, highlight the need for major reforms in law enforcement, including enhanced training, transparency, and accountability. We can no longer allow police departments to self-regulate. Too often, police misconduct gets swept under the rug, and officers are able to continue working or transfer to another department after documented instances of misconduct. Police are granted extraordinary power and authority over the rest of us and carry around dangerous weapons, yet they have less training, experience, or oversight than many others who perform valuable services to our community.

Our elected leaders need to be held accountable for their words and actions. Senator Cotton is encouraging violence against civilians and improperly using his office as a senator to pressure the military to commit war crimes. The social media that he used to post this comment clearly identified him as a US Senator implying this was policy and not opinion. We cannot have federal leaders advocating for the mass murder of American citizens. The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics must take swift and appropriate action to address Senator Cotton’s abuse of public office and prevent him from advocating for the unconstitutional use of US military forces against American civilians.

To bring AWARENESS on Rape/Sexual Assault surrounding women across the world her story is heartbreaking! she deserves justice & her story to be HEARD.

Phoenix Section Zoning Ordinance 660 - Four Corner Overlay District restricts use for a Mortuary without obtaining a special permit; residents helped to develop this Overlay to prevent certain businesses from operating in the community. The City of Phoenix has invested over 50 million dollars in the revitalization of South Phoenix Village, which would make it irresponsible to allow a business that falls outside of the criteria of the Overlay. The Four Corner Sites need retail businesses, which are desired by the residents. Clean up of this area needed to take place before this area could attract these businesses. The diverse population of new homeowners who have invested in 30 year mortgages in a new home deserve respect and the utmost consideration through denial of this special permit request for a mortuary. I am one of hundreds of residents that are requesting that respect and consideration. We have nearly 30 churches within a couple miles radius of this location to extend chapel services, we have the Broadway Heritage Resource Center within a block of the building to hold community meetings, and most importantly we have nearly 30 funeral homes within less than 10 miles of the proposed building. Please stand with me by signing this petition of opposition. Let’s make our position as a community clear, instead of allowing individuals outside our community make decisions that benefit their endeavors. Together we have a powerful voice!

R1 zoning is for single-family residences. It was never intended to house 20 plus inmates next to families with children or near seniors and pre-schools. In a community that is already overburdened with homeless shelters, permanent supportive housing, gang violence, and several other transitional housing during a time of a pandemic and civil unrest our elected leaders should have considered those who live in the area and notified the community as they are obligated to do so and obtain feedback. Although, transitional housing may have some benefits the disadvantages are greater. Homeowners have spent their life savings to buy their homes. Children and preschoolers should live in a safe environment and as our recent pandemic has proven. Density housing is a failure and should never be rushed into. A single home with over 20 people who are violent offenders should have never been rushed into.

This is to save what is left of the United States. We as Americans have to do our part in making sure we save our country.

Trumps proposal to use military force and supersede State authority amounts to an informal declaration of martial law. We unit show overwhelming opposition to this if we hope to preserve American democracy.

You might be asking, “How can making these two dates federal holidays improve our situation?” You also might be asking, “How do we seem to be taking steps back to “Da Crow”?” You must fight for freedom yes, but use your power wisely. Do it through love and collaboration. We have to do things decently and in order and remember, a divided house will fall from infighting! Instead of risking Covid-19 infection, continue to mitigate exposure as much as possible to protect vulnerable people. But to really get something done. We need it in writing and we need it in the law. IF YOU WOULD MARCH IN THE STREET, SIGN THIS PETITION! Once we get 150,000 signatures we will submit transparent plans to raise funding to cover the administrative costs involved. This virus will devastate the same populations in our already risky environments. The disproportionality in the death toll skews overwhelmingly towards the black and brown communities. DO NOT BE A MOTH to the FLAME. Be STILL, and sign this petition. Juneteenth June-teenth celebrates the final freeing of slaves in Texas. It was on June 19, 1865, that slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free—although they had been freed two years earlier in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This is a prime example of progress for everyone does not always mean progress for people of color, especially black Americans. The only way to level the playing field is to vote and be able to do it freely! Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Cel-Liberation Day or the Black Fourth of July, is an American holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865. On this day, after almost two and half years since the implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved African Americans were informed of their liberation. More Info: The Mascogos (also known as negros mascagos ) are an Afro-descendant group in Coahuila , Mexico. Centered on the town of El Nacimiento in Múzquiz Municipality , the group are descendants of Black Seminoles escaping the threat of slavery in the United States. • Also called: Freedom Day or Emancipation Day • Observances: Exploration and celebration of African-American history and heritage • Next time: June 19, 2020 • Observed by: Residents of the United States, especially African Americans, Mascogos • Significance: Emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy The Pen is Mightier than the Sword!

It's time to stand on the right side of history. The purpose of these monuments is to honor Confederacy beliefs, of which our city should rid itself. The Confederacy fought to maintain slavery and white supremacy in the United States. Now is the time to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of color and to make amends for the racist policies of its past by removing these objects of remembrance which celebrate this horrific, traumatizing past. Beyond doing what is right and just, our Governor has called for the removal of Confederacy monuments and we should follow suit with other NC cities. By removing these Confederacy objects of remembrance from our public spaces and the cemetery we are showing our willingness to fight against systemic racism, white supremacy, and the historic oppression of the Black community. The removal will show everyone that our city is a place that doesn't just welcome all people, but fights for all people. These statues belong in museums, not in our streets.