September 14, 2021
The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County unequivocally supports the constitutional rights of individuals, including the right to protest. The right to assess government actions and indeed criticize the government is a cornerstone of democracy. The recent arrests of protestors and statements by Saratoga Springs police representatives appear designed to unfairly target Black protestors and intimidate them to deter them from speaking out.
We believe that racial and economic factors unfairly influence the treatment of citizens in the law enforcement system throughout this country and in the City of Saratoga Springs. We encourage the City Council to build public trust and police accountability via independent citizen oversight of law enforcement, increasing transparency, and consistently supporting the right to protest.
Eradicating systemic racism within our own organization and every level of government is a complex journey. The League recognizes that the individual liberties of people of color are not being equally protected. Equity involves consistent justice and fairness for all members of our community within the procedures and processes of all systems.