Dear Friends of Scott & Taun Hall,
Today marks the 6 month anniversary of Miles' death. It's still hard to believe that we are here together in this FOSATH community because Miles is not here.
Our love and support, as always, go out to Scott, Taun, Alexis, his extended family and all of you who are grieving Miles' loss. There are no words to capture the indignities and injustice of this road.
Action can be a powerful antidote to injustice and despair, and so we can all take some comfort in creating change and protecting families from similar losses.
Let's keep moving forward together. We can do this.
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UPCOMING EVENTS: We'd love your presence.
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The Coroner's Inquest for Miles is this Thursday, 12/5/19. You are invited to attend. This will be a tough day. Please plan to be there to support the Hall family in person or in spirit.
A coroner's inquest is a judicial inquiry held to determine the official cause of Miles' death. Generally, an inquest is called at the behest of a coroner, judge, prosecutor, or in some cases, upon public request. It is usually the 'how' question that is the main focus - a "fact-finding" process that does not deal with issues of blame or responsibility for Miles' death or with issues of criminal or civil liability.
The courtroom and hallway have limited seating, so plan to arrive early and leave time for parking. There will be a couple brief breaks during the inquest and "in & outs" are allowed if you can't stay the whole time.
Let's continue to lift Taun, Scott, Alexis and the whole family up in prayer, love and light during this difficult time. Thank you for your beautiful hearts.
Please RSVP here.
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Walnut Creek City Council Meetings: Our Presence and Persistence Matters.
We so appreciate those of you who are making time for these meetings. If you haven't attended yet, please do! Your presence makes a difference.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, 12/3/19, your attendance is requested at the City Council Meeting in Walnut Creek. Attendance at the last meeting was great and we so appreciate all those who were able to make it. Let's keep up our attendance! You are welcome to speak from the heart. If you need guidance, please reach out. There are a number of us who are happy to help support you, whether it be helping you practice, giving you feedback or helping you craft your message.
These are suggested talking points:
- Continued request for independent an investigation. The Wisconsin model is a good example of this. Benefits include:
- improved transparency and trust,
- improved credibility for the police department/city
- sending a message to the community that city leaders and the police department operate with integrity, and that facts, not protection of any agenda or system, are paramount.
- Alternate response programs such as CAHOOTS. Mental health crises deserve and warrant a non-police, non-lethal response from individuals who are trained to interact with people experiencing mental illness. Violent death is an unacceptable penalty for mental illness. Families whose loved ones or who themselves need support with mental health challenges must have the option to enlist the help of people who thoroughly understand mental illness and its symptoms, rather than armed law enforcement professionals.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Remember to wear your MILES HALL tshirt if you've got one. We have signs for you to hold.
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If you're human, you're biased. Now what?
This coming Sunday, December 8th at 7:30 PM, we got a film screening going on!
Bias explores how unconscious bias defines relationships, workplaces, our justice system, and technology. bias contemplates the most pressing question: Can we de-bias our brains? In settings such as a police deadly force decision simulator and a virtual reality lab designed to reduce racial bias, the film considers the possibilities presented by new technology.
Click here to view the trailer.
The screening will be happening at the Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center, 1065 Carol Ln, Lafayette.
Members of the Bias Subcommittee are encouraged to attend to learn more about the latest research on implicit bias and attempts to mitigate it. We have space for 15, and so after the subcommittee members are prioritized we'd welcome your presence.
RSVP is required.
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2019 11th Annual Peace & Justice Awards Dinner.
Saturday, December 14th 2019, 6:00-9:00PM
Diablo Room – Hillside Clubhouse, Rossmoor
3400 Golden Creek Road, Walnut Creek
It is amazing and humbling for FOSATH to be honored at the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice's annual awards dinner. The event includes a full-course dinner, wine, speakers, a silent auction, live performance, raffle and more!
We may need to dress in something other than our tshirts for this one!
Click here to read more and register.
FOSATH members may use this link to purchase tickets. Select "General Public" and then enter the discount code- FOSTH , towards the bottom of the page, the ticket price should be lowered to $30! (NOTE: the FOSTH code is accurate: there's no "A")
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The research subcommittees are up and running and you can still join.
Huge thanks to Ted Angus for mobilizing these subcommittees and to David Hobbs, Ava Law and Dean Thebeau for leading them.
The subcommittee groups would welcome your presence. It's an incredible opportunity to get into the nitty gritty of current police policy, best practices across the country, and to have an influence on what change can look like in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County and our state.
Topics include implicit bias, mental health crisis intervention, and police non-lethal response.
Please join us.
For any questions regarding the subcommittees, please feel free to email or contact Ted Angus directly at 925-349-8974.
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Walnut Creek Police Chief Advisory Board
Tom Chaplin, the Walnut Creek Police Chief, is now recruiting for community advisory board members. This is not a FOSATH driven board, but by joining this group, FOSATH can continue to wield influence on police priorities. Our PRESENCE and VOICE matters!!
Please take a look at the Chief's overview and submit an interest application online here. Applications are being accepted until December 19, 2019.
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Enough for now.
Thank you so much again for your continued presence in the FOSATH community. We need you to create change. Together, we can do this.
Say his name: MILES HALL.
In solidarity,
THE FOSATH ADMINS
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