Hi, I'm Eric Verlo, owner of The Bookman and the bookmobile, and
president of the board of the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission.

We've come before you today to address a matter of concern for all the citizens of this city,
the matter of police conduct and excessive use of force.

We've brought four speakers, each to speak about two minutes.  Would that be okay?

As I've said, I'm president of the board of the J&P, and I'm standing in today for
Reverend Jim White, our Executive Director,
who would have liked to addressed you today.

Perhaps, as the parade permit holder, it's fitting that I summarize my role in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. If you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask.

While the city awaits the results of the Police Department internal affairs investigation, may I direct you to the comprehensive photographic record, and to KKTV 5&30, which has obtained a complete video of what hundreds of Colorado Springs citizens saw that day.

No matter how the police and parade organizers and Gazette editors try to change the accounts of that day, the video evidence, taken by unaffiliated bystanders will not change. The parade audience was horrified by the police behavior it saw, and it had good reason.

I'd like to introduce three witnesses, each a parade participant
to give their accounts of that day:

   Tony Abdo, and his daughter Lyla
   Brian Wolf, Iraq War veteran
   Kathy Verlo, my mother, former Manitou Springs City Councilwoman
   Mark Lewis, of Colorado Springs Action Alliance

Currently seven of us face criminal charges for peacefully advocating peace.
Such repercussions may have a chilling effect on others
who seek to peacefully express divergent views.

We at the J&P believe in the power of conversation and dialogue.

We'd like to return to Council in 2 weeks with several specific requests and recommendations.

Today we are here to formally request that Council direct that
our city's new police chief, who reports to City Council,
participate in a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the Police's role
in respecting diversity of opinion and a citizen's right to protest.

If indeed Chief Myers will participate, we propose holding an open community meeting,
chaired by the Reverend Jim White and a representative from the city (and/or Police Dept.)
to agree on a format and date for such an important meeting to take place.

Can we ask Council to direct Police Chief Myers to participate in such a town meeting?
Thank you for your time and consideration.