Statement on May 25th: A Reflection on a Year of Solidarity
May 25, 2021 marks one year since the killing of George Floyd. One year, two months and twelve days since the killing of Breonna Taylor. May 27, 2021, just two days later, will mark one year since the killing of Tony McDade. Last summer, it seemed America had a moment of clarity following a series of killings by militarized policing and police violence. For a moment, many Americans could no longer ignore the vast inequities that exist in this country. That moment of clarity resonated around the world, and has strengthened solidarity against racism, discrimination, and white supremacy in all its forms. However, systemic change takes dedication and time. The work for change must be sustained.
Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict for George Floyd’s murder represents both progress and just how far we still have yet to go. The exceptional nature of his judgment illustrates the pervasiveness of racist and white supremacist systems in America and around the world. This one case existed in the context of countless lives cut short by police violence against Black communities and other communities of color in the United States. We continue to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, Ma’Khia Bryant, Adam Toledo, Dante Wright, Daniel Prude, Rayshad Brooks, and every person unjustly killed at the hands of police, many of whom are unknown to us but whose lives matter. Our goal must be to go beyond seeking justice and work to prevent such tragedies entirely by working together for change that ensures the respect, safety and security we all deserve as human beings.
There has been unprecedented political violence perpetrated against the American democratic system, which is rooted in white supremacy and manifested in violent acts of hate against communities of color. Specifically, Asian and Pacific Island Americans have been targeted in violent hate crimes, and stigmatization. This is a product of the same systems that have led to a disproportionately high number of COVID-19-related deaths in Black and Latinx communities, and amongst communities of color. It also exemplifys the double standards and prevalent discrimination embedded in our culture.
Internationally, we have seen militarized policing and police violence threaten the peace and security of communities, sharply exposing underlying issues of systemic and systematic inequality and discrimination. We stand in solidarity with the victims of these systems across the world. In recent days, the militarized siege on civilians in Gaza has shocked the natural conscience of our world. In Colombia, many have been killed by police since protests for economic justice and tax reform began. In Nigeria, the state response to the #EndSARS movement continues to result in countless deaths. While these injustices originate in different historical, national contexts the core systemic imbalances are mirrored in the United States, and nations across Europe and the world.
It has been a year. George Floyd has a semblance of justice, but the list of Black and Brown people who have been killed at the hands of police continues to grow, and repressive practices still flourish. We must champion justice for those who have suffered in silence. There is no peace and security until we all share peace and security. We reassert the Standing Together Against Racism and Discrimination Solidarity Statement, and maintain our dedication to OrgsInSolidarity.
There is so much work to be done.
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Please go to orgsinsolidarity.org to read reflections of our OiS partner organizations and individuals on this day of commemoration.