“NOT IN OUR NAME” – Say NO to Racial Profiling in Our Community

PETITION TO CLAYTON MO MAYOR, BOARD OF ALDERMEN & POLICE CHIEF:

ADD YOUR NAME HERE.

We are a group of moms, dads, community members and neighbors called to action by the racial profiling incident at IHOP of 10 incoming coed Black Washington University freshmen. We are very concerned by the statements issued by the City of Clayton and insist that our community do better. ProgressWomen.com (via Rep. Stacey Newman) is honored sponsor this petition on everyone’s behalf.

Washington University is a nationally ranked research institution and university and we are lucky to have such a treasure in our backyard. We must treat not only Black university students with dignity and respect but also all our Black neighbors, friends, colleagues and fellow St. Louisans. The data is very clear that stark racial disparities exist in Clayton, in our neighboring municipalities and across Missouri in rates of police stops, arrests, and sentencing for similar behaviors.

We insist that racial equity be a value in our community – we say NO to racial profiling, racial targeting and racial discrimination. We insist that our elected leaders and police department also say NO and immediately implement policies that treat all people, regardless of neighborhood, as human beings, the way we each expect to be treated.

The Ferguson Commission report contains many specific recommendations municipal leaders have had the opportunity to put in place for 2.5 years now. The state legislature is not interested in advancing these policy suggestions for racial equity so we must at the local level.

We will continue to meet with Clayton officials, law enforcement and policy experts (who are already working) to identify, implement and monitor appropriate policies and best practices. According to the city of Clayton, stopping the students did not violate policy. So therefore, we need to change the policies to reflect fair and racially just policing. We know it can and must be done.

We aren’t going away and neither are our neighbors, friends and allies. This is long term continuing work. We will be holding those in leadership accountable and responsible as we work to value each member of our community.

This is not a one time incident but a clear opportunity for Clayton to lead our metropolitan area in saying YES to racial equity and actually making it reality.