My expanded speech to Berkeley City Council when they were debating FLOCK tonight.
I was part of the great migration of the boomers who fled to the Bay area more than 50 years ago. I came with my 5 year old, from over 3000 miles away, and after having lived in 7 different states. I chose Berkeley because Berkeley exemplified all the great sides of this nation we all were taught about in school – you know justice, civil rights, freedom for all, democracy – that existed in the bay.
Those ideal parts severely lacking in most of our country.
I’m not going to add any more info to what has already been covered so eloquently & brilliantly – you know it all.
What I’m going to do is to ask each of you who are considering voting yes to step back & take a moment to look inside yourself and to figure out what has made you vulnerable to this fascist belief that spying on everyone 24/7 makes us safe? What flaw in your humanity, your morality, your intelligence, what weakness in your circumstances directs you toward accepting this lie and this turning your back on your constituents?
Several womyn – those who are the most vulnerable – tonite have spelled out what we all know: there is only ONE thing, and one thing only, that will make us safe in Berkeley and everywhere around our country: and that is equity. Ending poverty thru ending greedy wealth; providing affordable housing, building community, lights, people.
These are the things that will keep us safe.
I want to be able to say I will make that same choice to come here today as I did 50 plus years ago: that this is a city that stands up to fascism and fights to protect our rights, justice, peace & our neighbor’s lives!
