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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ashton T., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers
8:20:35
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89 sec
Ashton T., a youth leader from Circle Keepers and Dignity in Schools Coalition, testifies about the need for restorative justice coordinators in schools. He shares a personal experience of a fight at his school that was poorly handled due to the lack of proper guidance and restorative practices.
- Advocates for $80 million in funding to hire and train restorative justice coordinators citywide
- Argues that punitive measures and increased police presence make students feel like criminals rather than fostering community and security
- Emphasizes the importance of investing in students as the future of the city instead of continuously funding police in schools
Ashton T.
8:20:35
Good afternoon Chair Joseph and council members.
8:20:38
My name is Ashton Tao and I'm a youth with the Circle Keepers and Dignity in Schools Coalition.
8:20:44
I go to a relatively small school in Bay Ridge called IS thirty, but there's still not even one restorative justice coordinator.
8:20:52
Just last month, there was a fight between my friend and a new student, but rather than guidance and proper measures being taken, they were both threatened with suspension.
8:21:01
Of course, this might not seem like an issue, just kids fighting over some nonsense.
8:21:09
But they were friends before this, and the way this situation was handled drove a deep wedge in their relationship.
8:21:18
Now, some might think more police or surveillance would help prevent this from happening at all, but instead of keeping us safe, it makes us feel like criminals in a place where community and security should be fostered.
8:21:32
Even now, I'm still facing the repercussions of the fight, and I wasn't even involved in it.
8:21:38
If even I, a mere bystander, can see what these punitive measures do to the school environment, then shouldn't you?
8:21:47
This is why I'm here today.
8:21:49
We need you to grant $80,000,000 to schools citywide to not only hire, but train more assertive justice coordinators in schools.
8:21:58
Instead of continuously funding the police, fund us as the future of the city.
8:22:03
Thank you.