There's been a lot that's happened the past few months! Some things are happening very very fast and others continue to move forward excruciatingly slow. the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the tragic deaths of Ahmad Abery and Brionna Taylor, thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters have taken to the streets demanding an end to Police Brutality and an end to Racism and Racial Injustice. We also lost a civil rights icon who inspired, and who was inspired by, the Black Lives Movement. Saying goodbye to John Lewis brought up deep layers of grief and of hope. And, as if to test our resolve, all these things are happening in the midst of a global pandemic and an economic crisis that disproportionately impacts black and brown communities.
People took to the streets even in our quiet suburb of Walnut Creek. The first Walnut Creek Black Lives Matter protest occurred the day before the one year mark of Miles Hall's untimely passing. Many of the Walnut Creek protestors chanted and marched in honor of Miles. Hearing people #SayHisName lifted our hearts as planned for the public memorial for Miles and reflected on the year that had gone by and the year ahead.
But on June 1st, the WCPD deployed tear gas and rubber bullets on peaceful protesters, most of whom were the youth of the community. The behavior of the WCPD at the June 1st protest sparked a reemergence of the community's concern about police brutality and lack of accountability for their actions. It has resulted in more and louder calls for the Walnut Creek City Council to fund and pilot a non-police crisis response program that would have prevented Miles' death.
Since the first Walnut Creek protest, The Hall Family and other members of FOSATH have been speaking at Black Lives Matter events all around the Bay Area, from Oakland to Walnut Creek, to educate people about Miles' story and what can be done to prevent what happened to him from happening again. The work continues, and as John Lewis instructed, we need you to join us as we continue to get into "good trouble".
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June 2nd marked exactly one year since Miles Hall's untimely passing. Miles' death has not been in vain. Changes are being made in Miles' name to protect families and the lives of those living with mental illness. On June 2nd, 2020 there was a special event, moderated by KTVU's Dave Clark, including powerful speakers, special guests, inspiring performances and never seen before footage to honor Miles, often referred to as "Smiles"!
The video linked below was rebroadcast on July 1st at the Remembering Miles Hall Tribute Event at Civic Park in Walnut Creek.
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Click here to watch the Remembering Miles Hall Tribute Video
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Please spread the word about this PEACEFUL and POWERFUL demonstration organized by one of our many allies who stand in solidarity with and for us!
This demonstration will be not only advocating for #MilesHall, but for all BIPOC families and for all families and persons with mental illness, for more diverse, inclusive, socially and racially just communities, and for an end to racist power structures of inequity and inequality.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS - GET INVOLVED
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WALNUT CREEK CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
The next Walnut Creek City Council meetings will be held on September 1st and will continue every first and third Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are remote at this time and we welcome you to call in and have your voice heard. For info on how to attend and meeting agendas visit here. If you missed any of the City Council meetings, you can find video links to the meetings here.
SIGN PETITIONS
DAILY PROTEST AT CITY HALL
Every day since June 14th there has been a daily protest outside of Walnut Creek City Hall (1666 N. Main St) from 12-1pm organized by allies and advocates for #MilesHall and justice for all BIPOC.
Come out in solidarity and share Miles' story. Demand that we STOP funding systems that execute bring harm to children, to families and to black, indigenous, and people of color.
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
For regular updates and calls to action follow us on Instagram @Justiceformileshall, Twitter @justiceforMiles, and Facebook @justiceforMilesHall . Visit our Linktree for more info.
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT & REPRESENT
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Purchase locally produced 100% cotton masks, hand-crafted with care by the Friends of Scott, Alexis & Taun Hall in green or black to represent mental health. Justice for Miles Hall + Black Lives Matter lawn/window/rally signs are also available for purchase and local (Walnut Creek) pick-up. Your support is so appreciated!
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A MESSAGE FROM THE HALL FAMILY
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Hello Everyone,
Thank you to Barbara, Vivian, Penny, Gigi, Kathryn, Carly, Patty, Ogie, Rachel, Shiyama and Cri who make up the FOSATH admin team. Our family appreciates all the countless hours you spend, on weekly calls and late night City Council meetings to fight for Miles legacy. Thank you all for the hard work you do to ensure we have justice for Miles. Also a big thank you to all the other volunteers and allies that work so hard behind the scenes to help us fight for Miles. We are grateful for you all. I also want to thank those who helped make masks, bought masks, BLM signs and made donations. We can’t do this alone and we are so blessed for your support. We miss Miles everyday and wish he was here with us. Thank you for fighting with us to make sure we have safe alternatives for the mentally ill.
Love,
Taun, Scott, Alexis and Miles in heaven
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A YEAR WITHOUT MILES - A YEAR OF ACTION
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Over the last year, we've been working hard to preserve Miles' legacy and to advocate for changes in the mental health care system. We are making progress in our efforts, albeit slowly. Here's an update of our work over the past year:
- Police Response
- Walnut Creek is working to develop a regional response which would provide increased training for select officers responding to individuals experiencing mental health crises.
- Officers now have Mobile Crisis Response Team leaflets to hand during calls involving individuals exhibiting mental health challenges.
- FOSATH will continue to advocate for a non-police first response.
- Mental Health Awareness
- In partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Contra Costa, the Miles Hall Foundation kicked off the First Annual Mental Health Awareness Ribbon Campaign.
- The Walnut Creek City Council declared the month of May 2020 as National Mental Health Awareness Month and in doing so recognized the need to ensure services are available to all residents and acknowledged the importance of raising the awareness of mental health needs, resources, and services. The full proclamation can be viewed here.
- The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County proclaimed February 16 - 22, 2020 as African-American Mental Health Awareness Week and February 15, 2020 as Miles Hall Day of Remembrance.
- FOSATH will continue to raise awareness about available resources and needed changes.
- Use of Force
- The Police are considering the purchase of Bola-wraps and other non-lethal weapons, including bean bags and pepper-spray bullets.
- FOSATH will continue to advocate for restrictive use of force policies and non-lethal weapons.
- Policy Changes
- The Police Chief re-introduced the Chief's Community Advisory Board (CAB). Three FOSATH members were selected to serve on this Board. The CAB will be looking at ways to address issues such as mental health response, use of force policies, and homelessness. The CAB may also review administrative leave policies.
- FOSATH will continue to advocate for enhanced de-escalation training, crisis intervention training and implicit bias training.
- Community Meetings
- Walnut Creek issued a Request for Qualifications for Planning Assistance, Lead Facilitation and Evaluation for Community Listening and Dialog Sessions that closed on February 26, 2020. The full RFQ is here.
- FOSATH will continue to work with the City to move the process forward which was delayed by the shelter-in-place. One goal of the meetings is for community members to share concerns that the City can ultimately address.
- Independent Investigations, Legislative Outreach, Collaboration Building
- FOSATH will continue its efforts in these areas and updates will be provided.
There have been press conferences, numerous City Council meetings, fundraisers, various community events, award ceremonies, and subcommittee meetings to attend. Many of you have shown up to these events while others have shown support through connections, generosity, concern, and other acts of kindness.
Thank you for being a part of this change over the past year. It's meant the world to the Halls as well as their family and friends. We invite you to be here with us for the long haul as we continue in our efforts to create change and protect families in our community and beyond.
Miles is loved and will always be remembered.
Say his name, Miles Hall!
With love and vision,
FOSATH Admins
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OUR MISSION
In honor of Miles Hall, FOSATH’s mission is to educate and advocate for systemic changes in Walnut Creek and surrounding communities with respect to law enforcement’s response to individuals living with mental health challenges. A key goal is to enable equitable outcomes for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
OUR VISION
A skilled response to mental health crises that is specific to the needs of each individual and ensures fair and equitable outcomes, based on compassion, respect and dignity.
The relentless pursuit of institutionalized policies and individual practices that preserve life and eliminate structural bias and racism.
OUR GOALS
- Non-police response to mental health crises
- Revised police use of force policies
- Effective crisis intervention/de-escalation and implicit bias training
- Accountability for implemented changes
- Rebuilding trust through community meetings
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If you'd like to offer your time and skills, please reach out via our email.
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