In light of public outrage against the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Rayshard Brooks, and the overwhelming violence against Black bodies perpetrated by state police, students across the country have begun organizing to demand that public school districts break their contracts with school police in defense of Black students. These instances of direct action have resulted in the termination of contracts with school police in Minneapolis, MN Public Schools, Denver, CO Public Schools,Portland, OR Public Schools, and Richmond, CA Public Schools— and this is just the beginning. As the second largest school district in California, San Diego Unified School District must follow suit in breaking their contract with the San Diego Unified School District Police Department. 

Policing schools creates a toxic school climate that attenuates the school-to-prison pipeline and is not necessary to cultivating school safety. By cutting ties with the school police department, we can re-imagine the school environment, fostering richer connections between students and educators by reallocating resources to school counselors, nurses, after-school programs, arts education, and more.  

Whether you are a student, former student, parent, educator, or community member, if you believe that San Diego Unified School District should value STUDENTS over SROs, sign this petition to make your voice heard!