In light of recent events in the United States, the African American community and their supporters are rising up to make their voices heard. The death of George Floyd has served as a catalytic motivator to raise awareness to the mistreatment, abuse and excessive force utilized against African Americans when in police custody.

The greater Miami Valley area has had its own examples of excessive action by police officers and security personnel during interactions with African Americans. Kylen English (2011), Dante Price (2012), John Crawford III (2014), Jamarco McShann (2017), and many others that have happened throughout the area. These tragedies have taken a toll on our community.

The Miami Valley has always been a region of culture and change. In the 1830’s Joe and Nettie Piner operated an underground railroad station on Dandridge St. Dayton’s City of Council passed an ordinance allowing blacks to have a public school district of their own in 1849. In 1955, W.S. Mcintosh demonstrated with his group, the Westside Citizens Council, to end discrimination practices against blacks in the Dayton area. Today, June 17, 2019 The Dayton African American Cultural Festival, Dayton New Black Panther Party and Friends are writing this letter so that our community's voices can be heard once again.

In honor and remembrance of African Americans who have been mistreated, discriminated against and lost their lives due to improper police action, we submit this proposal. This petition serves as our request to consider the renaming of Main Street in Dayton, Ohio to Black Lives Matter Blvd. The renaming of this major route traveled by many in the Miami Valley to serve as a piece of assurance to the African American Community that the Miami Valley will work together to end racial discrimination and improper use of force by Police Officers in the region. We ask that this request be received and considered for the sake of peace and unity in the greater Miami Valley area.