At the Vancouver School Board last night- I voted to suspend School Liaison Officers, here is why: #bcpoli #bced #vanpoli @OneCityVan

When hundreds of children, youth, parents, and educators reach out to share their experiences and perspectives in their schools that I am elected to govern, I listen

As a Trustee it is my job to address inequities and injustice including the fact that schooling in Vancouver was designed for assimilation and as a way to reduce juvenile delinquency and adult criminality specifically for racialized children

there is more at play, for example, the VSB is meant to be a part of the city’s Access Without Fear efforts ( #sanctuaryschools) and this is directly compromised by police in schools

The #MMIWG Inquiry details that the VPD failed to prevent and protect Indigenous women from violence and failed to diligently investigate violence when it occurred. As a parent reminded me, “some of the MMIWG went to these these schools”

According to VPD data, between 2008-2017, First Nations we’re stopped 15% of the time (2% of the population) and Black people were stopped 5% of the time (less than 1% of the population)

At every turn, decision-making is an exercise of power and privilege. It is not about my personal experiences. For decision-making to be meaningful it must be values-led and a commitment by those in power to see those without it and act to make change.