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Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to mail@austinchronicle.com. Thanks for your patience.
Disruption is Crucial
RECEIVED Tue., June 2, 2020
Dear Editor,
It’s apparent nationally and worldwide: We must change our system of law and justice to reflect the value of human lives, specifically for people of color. Incidents of police brutality and homicides are not fairly investigated nor are the police prosecuted with the maximum punishment they deserve.
Disruption is crucial for systemic change – not looting and destruction, but nonviolent acts including roadblocking and other ways to keep society from going on as if nothing has happened. This movement must effect everyone in America, either directly or indirectly, to bring awareness of the necessity for change.
Struggle and conflict happens because our government and its controllers are threatened by people’s power. Witness the continuing acceleration of police militarization. Other ways the system protects itself is by blaming others – Russia, other foreign agitators, “terrorist organizations,” or COVID-related stress. The system tries to distort and subvert the message by interpreting “what this is really about.” Instead, the government needs to acknowledge guilt and responsibility for police brutality and lack of punishment for it, and implement immediate, measurable reform.
It’s apparent nationally and worldwide: We must change our system of law and justice to reflect the value of human lives, specifically for people of color. Incidents of police brutality and homicides are not fairly investigated nor are the police prosecuted with the maximum punishment they deserve.
Disruption is crucial for systemic change – not looting and destruction, but nonviolent acts including roadblocking and other ways to keep society from going on as if nothing has happened. This movement must effect everyone in America, either directly or indirectly, to bring awareness of the necessity for change.
Struggle and conflict happens because our government and its controllers are threatened by people’s power. Witness the continuing acceleration of police militarization. Other ways the system protects itself is by blaming others – Russia, other foreign agitators, “terrorist organizations,” or COVID-related stress. The system tries to distort and subvert the message by interpreting “what this is really about.” Instead, the government needs to acknowledge guilt and responsibility for police brutality and lack of punishment for it, and implement immediate, measurable reform.
Fancy Fairchild
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A Friend to the Refuge
RECEIVED Mon., June 1, 2020
Dear Editor
Thank you, Gerald, for writing this article [“Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge,” Day Trips, May 29]. I am on the Board for the Friends of the Balcones Canyonland National Wildlife Refuge. It is virtually unknown to Austinites since it’s thought by most to be the same as the Balcones Canyonland Preserve. The Friends Group is a nonprofit whose purpose is to help the refuge with funding, volunteering, and to support wildlife and habitat conservation by broadening public awareness, education, and advocacy; thereby, ensuring this fragile Wildlife Refuge will continue as an asset for future generations to enjoy.
Not sure if the Chronicle ever highlights a nonprofit with an article about them, but if they do, please let me know.
Thank you, Gerald, for writing this article [“Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge,” Day Trips, May 29]. I am on the Board for the Friends of the Balcones Canyonland National Wildlife Refuge. It is virtually unknown to Austinites since it’s thought by most to be the same as the Balcones Canyonland Preserve. The Friends Group is a nonprofit whose purpose is to help the refuge with funding, volunteering, and to support wildlife and habitat conservation by broadening public awareness, education, and advocacy; thereby, ensuring this fragile Wildlife Refuge will continue as an asset for future generations to enjoy.
Not sure if the Chronicle ever highlights a nonprofit with an article about them, but if they do, please let me know.
Thanks again, Carol Philipson
Follow Up on APD
RECEIVED Mon., June 1, 2020
Dear Editor
In the May 1 article by Austin Sanders, “Activists Call for Heads at APD,” I was struck by the fourth-paragraph reveal that the Christopher Taylor, who fatally shot Michael Ramos, was one of the two officers who fatally shot Mauris DeSilva last summer – and that the investigation into Mr. DeSilva’s death was still ongoing.
Sanders failed to ask two rather obvious and important questions: 1) What about Mr. DeSilva’s shooting could possibly take 10 months to investigate? 2) Why was Officer Taylor on active duty while being investigated?
These events make it seem like APD doesn’t take its own investigations very seriously. And that makes me question its leadership.
We need journalists to hold our police department accountable. When they say they’re investigating an officer-involved shooting, we count on you to follow up and make sure it really happens. Please follow up.
In the May 1 article by Austin Sanders, “Activists Call for Heads at APD,” I was struck by the fourth-paragraph reveal that the Christopher Taylor, who fatally shot Michael Ramos, was one of the two officers who fatally shot Mauris DeSilva last summer – and that the investigation into Mr. DeSilva’s death was still ongoing.
Sanders failed to ask two rather obvious and important questions: 1) What about Mr. DeSilva’s shooting could possibly take 10 months to investigate? 2) Why was Officer Taylor on active duty while being investigated?
These events make it seem like APD doesn’t take its own investigations very seriously. And that makes me question its leadership.
We need journalists to hold our police department accountable. When they say they’re investigating an officer-involved shooting, we count on you to follow up and make sure it really happens. Please follow up.
Leigh Muzslay Browne
News Editor Mike Clark-Madison responds: Thanks for the feedback; you’re correct that these are questions that deserve answers. We’ve got more reporting this week on Taylor and both the DeSilva and Ramos shootings.
Lack of Tests…?
RECEIVED Fri., May 29, 2020
Dear Editor,
Congratulations to CM Flannigan for raising the issue of lack of tests at Central Booking [“No Virus, But Few Tests for County Inmates,” News, May 29]. Frankly I find it hard to believe that the county is still facing a shortage of testing materials, which causes it to ration tests. After all, Austin Public Health, in partnership with CommunityCare’s street outreach team, has been making tests available for any of our homeless neighbors who want one, whether or not they display symptoms.
Turning the page to page 13, Mike Clark-Madison reports that APH has enough capacity to test 1,750 people a day but is only seeing 200 to 300 [“As Bars Go Wild, Austin Prepares for Inevitable Second Wave,” News, May 29]. Both articles quote Dr. Mark Escott, and it is hard to see how both statements can be right.
Congratulations to CM Flannigan for raising the issue of lack of tests at Central Booking [“No Virus, But Few Tests for County Inmates,” News, May 29]. Frankly I find it hard to believe that the county is still facing a shortage of testing materials, which causes it to ration tests. After all, Austin Public Health, in partnership with CommunityCare’s street outreach team, has been making tests available for any of our homeless neighbors who want one, whether or not they display symptoms.
Turning the page to page 13, Mike Clark-Madison reports that APH has enough capacity to test 1,750 people a day but is only seeing 200 to 300 [“As Bars Go Wild, Austin Prepares for Inevitable Second Wave,” News, May 29]. Both articles quote Dr. Mark Escott, and it is hard to see how both statements can be right.
Paul Mullen
