Santa Barbara public defenders demand civil justice in Black Lives Matter demonstration
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- A more equal justice system. That’s what Santa Barbara public defenders and protesters were calling for Monday outside the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.
“Black lives matter," chanted supporters. "Black lives matter.”
It was a call from public defenders to bring an end to systemic racism.
Addison Steele is a Santa Barbara County public defender. He shared with the crowd from the microphone. “Telling the white people, you’re white don’t worry about it. When you get pulled over you’re not going to be asked are you on probation or on parole. That’s not an experience that white people have. It’s an experience that black and brown people have every day.”
On Monday afternoon 200 protesters and public defenders rallied at the steps of the county courthouse demanding a change. Santa Barbara’s chief public defender, Tracy Macuga, said white people receive better treatment than people of color in the criminal justice system.
“The criminal justice system needs to be completely reformed," said Macuga. Funding decisions need to be made. Meaning that money instead of building larger institutions that warehouse our community members, what we need is funding to go to mental health, to treatment and drug addiction programs.”
Protesters called for more oversight of the police. They chanted in front of the Santa Barbara Police station, "We demand, body cams”
They also are demanding defunding the police department and shifting those funds to other social services aimed at preventing arrests.
Lillian Street is a civil investigator with Santa Barbara County. She said, “You can have counseling and fix these problems, rather than just filling up a prison. People are sick, people don’t need to be incarcerated because they’re sick.”
Santa Barbara mayor Cathy Murillo took part in the demonstration, knelt with protesters and even asked for recommendations for changes at the city level.
The public defenders plan to bring their demands for a criminal justice overhaul to the county supervisors' special session on public safety this Thursday at 9 a.m. You can find a link to watch online here.
