By JoAnn Fields – Contributing Writer
San Diego, CA – Senior Pastor Terry Wayne Brooks of the Bayview Baptist Church has lead an aggressive community campaign and lead a group of advocates to the San Diego Unified School District board meeting on Tuesday, September 23rd that included community residents opposed to the District’s police department militarization and the intended use of a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle or MRAP, in the event that students and employees needed to be rescued from an “active shooter” on campus.
However, Wednesday evening, September 24th, Brooks received a call from Superintendent Cindy Marten notifying him that the District was reversing its position on deploying the military vehicle. According to Brooks, “Wednesday I received word that the San Diego Unified School District has decided to return the MRAP vehicle currently in its ownership. I trust that the subject vehicle is the only item secured via the 1033 program or from any other vender. If it is not, we are calling for the disposal of any and all military weapons owned by the San Diego Unified School District police department. I am pleased that the Trustees and Superintendent are now in a position to focus on the biggest issues this and other school districts across the nation are facing…the provision of a quality education for each and every student. I look forward to continuing the type of dialogue that will result in policies developed to bring equality to communities of color in the school experience.”
Bayview Baptist located in San Diego’s Encanto neighborhood has championed community engagement efforts entitled iMatter, an extension of the church in the community focused on social change. iMatter has challenged the District and appears to have given a voice to a community outraged by the proposed militarization within the city schools.
For information regarding iMatter or activities at BayView Baptist Church, please visit them at 6126 Benson Ave., San Diego, CA, 92114 or call (619)262-8384.
