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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Andrea R., Student and Restorative Justice Youth Leader from Make the Road New York
8:53:58
ยท
132 sec
Andrea R., an eighth-grade student and restorative justice youth leader, testifies about the importance of restorative justice in schools and advocates for full funding of restorative justice programs while divesting from school policing. She shares her personal experiences with restorative justice and its positive impact on her school community.
- Andrea emphasizes how restorative justice has improved communication, accountability, and conflict resolution among students.
- She critiques Mayor Adams' proposed budget cuts to restorative justice and other important programs while prioritizing school policing and surveillance technologies.
- Andrea argues that investing in restorative justice practices would make schools safer and more supportive, potentially saving up to $100 million by not hiring more school police.
Andrea R.
8:53:58
Good afternoon everyone.
8:53:59
My name is Andrea Alonso Rodriguez and my pronouns are sheher.
8:54:03
I am in eighth grade, a ninth grade, and a student at a community school in Bushwick with Make the Road New York.
8:54:08
I am also a restorative justice youth leader at my school.
8:54:12
I am here because I want to let the city know how important restorative justice is in schools and that students want to want the city to fully fund restorative justice and divest from school police.
8:54:23
While being an RJ youth leader, I've learned better ways to communicate, how to be accountable for my actions, and how to deescalate conflicts within my peers.
8:54:31
I have firsthand experience in seeing my community at school grow because RJ has given me more confidence to make new and strengthen my old relationships.
8:54:41
I've noticed in myself that I want to come to school more.
8:54:43
It is terrible that the current budget mayor Adams is proposing would cut funding for restorative justice and important programs like community schools and student success centers.
8:54:52
While prioritizing school policing and surveillance technologies, this proposal does not feel like it is for us, the students.
8:54:59
Restorative justice supports students instead of punishing them.
8:55:03
It helps address the root causes of behavior, keeps students engaged, teaches accountability.
8:55:09
RJ has built empathy and instead of pushing students behind with suspension, RJ has given me more more direction and I can see how RJ gives my peers tools to succeed and builds a better future.
8:55:21
I believe that New York City has an opportunity to be a leader in The US by investing in practices that support young people and divesting from practices that criminalize them.
8:55:31
More funding for school safety officers does not make us safer.
8:55:34
Students demand real safety.
8:55:36
I have seen that RJ can keep us safe, it keeps students engaged in their education, reduces repeat offenses, and creates a safer, more supportive school environment.
8:55:46
And by investing in RJ means investing in the future of our youth and community.
8:55:51
Protect funding for restorative justice in school, move money away from hiring and training school police, and stop the funding for surveillance technology.
8:55:59
By not hiring any more school police right now, New York City could save up to 100,000,000 in one year.
8:56:05
And that money could fund community based sustainable RJ approaches to safety.
8:56:09
Thank you for your time.