#AdvocacyMatters: A Vision of Change
July 22, 2022 / #AdvocacyMatters
With each new day, there seems to come another news item, viral video or first-hand account demonstrating the need for change in the way our communities respond to emergency services. In the midst of a crisis, the bright lights, loud sirens, and armed presence of responding authorities can create a traumatic, unnecessary escalation. Help in these situations isn’t delivered through handcuffs or threats of detention, but through listening and understanding. With this belief as a guidestone the Columbus Safety Collective was born, ready to envision what safety should look like for all Columbus residents.
Next Wednesday, July 27th, the collective will be hosting a People’s Safety Forum at Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 E. Broad Street, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. This event will give community members from across the city the chance to gather together, break bread, share their stories, and start building the future they want to see.
At the root of this vision is the lived experiences of those who have had traumatic experiences with our current policing system. These voices, often with the most relevant view to share, are unfortunately among the least likely to be considered in policy discussions.
“This moment demands more,” said Paisha Thomas, Columbus Safety Collective member. “It requires a bold vision that truly invests in evidence-based interventions that address the demands of our community.”
These monolithic institutions and systems change slowly, and only with force. One voice is easy to ignore, but the voices of an entire community calling for change won’t be turned away. If #AdvocacyMatters as much to you as it does to this collective, we ask that your voice is among them.