Stand against racism in Ithaca

From the The Shawn Greenwood Working Group:

Thank you to everyone who came out for last Tuesday’s community conversation at the A.M.E. Zion Church. We were able to put Mayor Myrick’s proposed replacement of Gino Bush as a commissioner on the Community Police Board (CPB) into the larger context of systemic racism. Common Council will vote on this issue on Wednesday, June 5, and we need your help.

This conversation can’t stop here.

Show Up! Speak Out!

Wednesday, June 5th, 6pm, Common Council Meeting

City Hall, 108 E. Green Street

Please come at 6pm and fill out a card to have your voice heard in the public comment.

At our community meeting last Tuesday we clarified that the issue is not with the proposed replacement’s qualifications, nor is it about Gino being unwilling to leave his post. It is important to know that many commissioners on the CPB have held seats as long as Gino and have easily had their terms renewed. Additionally the only other person of color on the board received a one-year term while all others received three-year positions.

Our issue is about keeping people who understand the experience of those who are most policed in this city on the Community Police Board. It is also about not allowing the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and/or the Ithaca Police Department to dictate who gets to sit on the board that investigates complaints involving the police.

We raised the following questions:

1. Why is the focus on removing Gino Bush instead of holding those in power accountable?
2. Are the PBA and/or the IPD refusing to comply with the Community Police Board’s review of complaints and compliments?
3. If the reason they are refusing to comply is because Gino Bush speaks out against racism, shouldn’t they be held accountable for not taking their roles as public servants seriously?

This is the time for allies against racism to stick our/your necks out to stand in solidarity with people of color in Ithaca. Come to the Common Council Meeting at 6pm, invite others to come, and have your voice heard!

Sincerely,

The Shawn Greenwood Working Group

SGWGIthaca@gmail.com