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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Amber C., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers
7:53:06
ยท
147 sec
Amber C., a youth leader from Circle Keepers, advocated for $80 million in funding for restorative justice coordinators in 500 schools and the redirection of funds from school policing. She shared her personal experiences with both punitive and restorative school environments, emphasizing the positive impact of restorative justice on student voice and school climate.
- Demanded $80 million investment for hiring school-based restorative justice coordinators in 500 schools
- Called for shifting funds away from school policing, including ceasing NYPD recruitment and halting expansion of surveillance technology
- Highlighted the contrast between schools with punitive measures and those with restorative practices, emphasizing improved safety, accountability, and community in restorative environments
Amber C.
7:53:06
Alright.
7:53:06
Good afternoon.
7:53:07
Good evening.
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My name is Amber Colon, and I was born and raised and went to school right here in Lower Manhattan.
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I'm a youth leader for a nonprofit organization called the Circle Keepers, and I would like to first say thank you for hearing me today.
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We are here demanding that the city invest in $80,000,000 to hire school based restorative justice coordinators in 500 schools.
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I'm here to help advocate with the Circle Keepers and the Dignity in School campaign that organizes with students, parents, and educators, and advocates to create a system of school discipline and safety that is based on mutual respect and problem solving at the end of this and to end the school to prison pipeline.
7:53:44
I'm here to support these youth and this important work because we need the city to fund restorative justice programs.
7:53:50
We need a sorry.
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We need the city to fund restorative justice programs and redirect funding from school police and policing in the DOE.
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Our youth, me, we are not criminals, so stop treating us as such.
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I'm doing this work for five years now.
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Since I was a freshman in high school, I've had witnessed how restorative justice is useful and what it's like when a school staff and students have a lack of restorative justice.
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Restorative justice made me feel that my voice matters.
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Growing up, I was going to charter schools where there was always a toxic power dynamic and my voice was crushed by my staff and teachers.
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Especially during COVID nineteen where everyone felt hopeless, Circle Keepers and Restorative Justice gave me that hope.
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Excuse me.
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I started organizing because I realized that change can happen if you put the work into it and the youth are as important as anyone in this room today.
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I was able to create a safe space with youth power and youth voices.
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I've seen both worlds.
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A school with punitive measures, I knew at least
Anjanel
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two or more peers that
Amber C.
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had detention.
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I myself would skip school and stay home because I didn't feel safe or heard by my teachers.
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On the other hand, going to a fully restorative school where issues were discussed and not only students but teachers took accountability for their actions, change was made and student voices were heard.
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All in all, a trust, a safe space and a community was created.
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We're demanding that the city invest in $80,000,000 to hire school based restorative justice coordinators in 500 schools.
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To make this happen, the city must shift funds away from school policing by ceasing all NYPD reincruitment, hiring, and training of school police, and halting the expansions of surveillance and technology that criminalizes our students.
7:55:32
Thank you.