Morgantown, Parkersburg, Charleston, Huntington - West Virginia

[Alena4BLM]

My name is {enter your name} and I’m a resident of {enter city} , West Virginia. I am writing about {enter city} fiscal year 2021 budget proposal.

I am asking that the {enter city} City Council make a more overt and visible commitment to racial justice. I demand that the budget vote be delayed so that Council may find ways to redirect money away from {enter city} Police Department’s overinflated budget. I urge you to pressure the City Manager’s Office towards an ethical and equal reallocation of the city’s expenditures, away from PD, and towards sectors that facilitate the dismantling of racial and class inequality.

Research shows that a living wage, access to holistic health services and treatment, educational opportunity, and stable housing are far more successful at reducing crime than police or prisons (Source: Popular Democracy). As such, I demand more aggressive financial support be directed to those areas. West Virginia's budget is already struggling. We need to devote more money to building community and community resources across the state.

Do not forget our poor communities and communities of color in West Virginia who are disproportionate targets of police violence. Justice will only be served when the police are reformed, and this will not be possible until we defund them.

Can I count on you to consider an alternative budget that puts a focus on social service programs?

Thank you, {enter your name}

[emilyhuntsman]

Hi, I can start by inputting this message, but you will need a specific list of emails you want it to be pre-addressed to! Most people have been choosing city councils and mayors, but I've seen a few send to state senators and delegates. Would you be able to comment a list?

[Alena4BLM]

Yes apologies for leaving that out! I can actually do requests for a few cities in West Virginia if that is easier as well.

On Sat, Jun 6, 2020 at 11:51 AM emilyhuntsman notifications@github.com wrote:

Hi, I can start by inputting this message, but you will need a specific list of emails you want it to be pre-addressed to! Most people have been choosing city councils and mayors, but I've seen a few send to state senators and delegates. Would you be able to comment a list?

— You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/teddywilson/defund12.org/issues/420#issuecomment-640080962, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AP3RU43NIX2NRJ6FPI6FY23RVJQZRANCNFSM4NWDQD3A .

-- Alena Klimas Writer & Co-founder | expatalachians http://expatalachians.com/ Project Consultant | Appalachia Funders Network & Rural Support Partners Asheville, NC

[emilyhuntsman]

No worries! If you edit the issue title to include the cities you would want to add, I'm happy to help in grabbing emails from govt websites. Also, the other thing you'd need is a subject line if you have an idea about how you'd want that to read!

[Alena4BLM]

Thanks for offering to help! I'd like to get some more rural places & small cities on the Defund12 campaign. I'll keep working towards getting more Appalachia on this list.

Morgantown- City manager- emuzzarelli@morgantownwv.gov, Mayor - wkawecki@morgantownwv.gov Huntington- mayor - mayorwilliams@huntingtonwv.gov Parkersburg - City Development - rickie.yeager@parkersburgwv.gov , clerk - Connie.shaffer@parkersburgwv.gov Charleston - Mayor- mayorsoffice@cityofcharleston.org

Title: Please Commit More Resources to our Community & Rethink Policing

I'm also going to edit the language of the first letter some to localize it more. I'll comment with an edited letter.

[Alena4BLM]

My name is {enter your name} and I’m a resident of {enter city} , West Virginia. I am writing about {enter city} fiscal year 2021 budget and call for you to review city policies surrounding police.

I am asking that the City of {enter city} make a more overt and visible commitment to racial justice. I demand that the budget be amended and reviewed so that Council may find ways to redirect money away from {enter city} Police Department’s overinflated budget. I urge you to pressure the City Manager’s Office and our local officials towards an ethical and equal reallocation of the city’s expenditures, away from PD, and towards sectors that facilitate the dismantling of racial and class inequality.

Research shows that a living wage, access to holistic health services and treatment, educational opportunity, and stable housing are far more successful at reducing crime than police or prisons (Source: Popular Democracy). As such, I demand more aggressive financial support be directed to those areas. West Virginia and our city's budgets are already struggling. We need to devote more money to building community and community resources across the state.

Do not forget our poor communities and communities of color in West Virginia who are disproportionate targets of police violence. Justice will only be served when the police are reformed, and this will not be possible until we defund them.

Can I count on you to consider an alternative budget and review policing methods that puts a focus on social service programs?

Thank you, {enter your name}