City advocates and pundits stand up against threats of racist violence against APS student – City of Albuquerque

[ad_1]

December 15, 2021

Today, advocates and experts in the city of Albuquerque join community members in tackling racist threats of student violence, including most recently those targeting a black student at La Cueva High School. Municipal education, restorative justice and equity specialists attended the APS board meeting to urge APS to take acts of hate seriously. The City offered its support to the APS, in particular through the Public Safety Committee of the Children’s Cabinet, the Metro Crime Initiative and the Violence Intervention Program.

“Creating a culture where young people can be free from violence and racism takes us all – from our homes, to our schools, to our government institutions. It is unacceptable to treat these acts as trivial; no child should have to worry about gun violence and discrimination in their places of learning, ”said Mayor Tim Keller. “It is a fact that gun violence decreases when children can trust adults enough to share their concerns with them. Adults, especially those in positions of authority, have an obligation to respond to these heinous acts as we would if our own children were threatened and intimidated. We appreciate the affirmative statements and APS ‘commitment for the future.

Community members and representatives of community organizations spoke at the APS meeting. Experts from the city of Albuquerque spoke at the meeting, urging leaders to take these incidents seriously and offering their support.

“We call on the APS to fully investigate the entire incident – both the threat of gun violence and the racist image sent to the student – and not to separate the two as both are forms of violence, ”said Nichole Rogers, African American community. and liaison with business leaders. “We are with the students who received the messages and their families. To ignore the racist elements of this incident is a form of erasure. We would like to provide resources to student unions and help improve the culture at APS that has made students afraid to speak out about racism, fear of retaliation and without recourse. “

“I am saddened tonight as we listen to community dissent on racism, threats to student safety and the protocols that have failed our young people. Something my grandmothers experienced that is not new to our community, ”said Sasha Pellerin, Senior Education Policy Advisor. “I urge my colleagues, many of whom I deeply respect and with whom I have been privileged to work and others with whom I have not, to not just listen to our community, but to take action. concrete actions towards accountability, healing and justice. “

“We are asking that these incidents and the stress they place on our students be taken very seriously,” said Tonya Covington, Manager of the Rapid Accountability Diversion program. “As a member of the City of Albuquerque, we aim to be part of the solution by providing resources for restorative justice and mediation efforts. “

[ad_2]