Cops Off Campus SB is not just an Instagram Page. We are not just an organization publishing community testimonies, sending emails, and making public comments. Before all, we are students. As students witnessing the destructive influence of police presence on our campuses daily, it is our responsibility to take action. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.
On October 12, 2021, after months of work, our campaign to remove the Student Resource Deputy from San Marcos was successful when the S.B. Unified Board of Education unanimously voted against renewing the contract for the current school year. Despite the significant backlash we have received following the school board’s decision, we will continue to emphasize equity and safety in our schools and incorporate all voices in our movement to create a more unified and inclusive education system.
Throughout the process of removing the deputy, we aimed to amplify and represent all student voices, including those who are not part of our coalition. And, let’s face it, representation is a huge issue in our district. While our district prides itself on being “student centered,” we are constantly reminded of which student voices are the ones being centered: predominantly the privileged voices, the white, upper class, full abled, cishet student voices. ["Cishet" is a blend of "cisgender" and "heterosexual."]