Yesterday’s guilty verdict, convicting former police officer Derek Chauvin of the murder of George Floyd, was a step in the right direction towards change. For many of us, it was a long-awaited moment of accountability, and a testament to the profound power of a nationwide protest, an outpouring of support, and a movement with the power to change the course of history.
Still, we have far to go. Systemic racism and violence against Black and Brown communities remain rampant, families still mourn their loved ones lost to police brutality, and our communities are far from safe, or just, for everyone.
The work is not over. Shortly after the verdict was announced, the tragic news of yet another young life lost unfolds, as the Columbus, Ohio police had fatally shot Ma’Khia Bryant. She was 16 years old, and in foster care. Her name joins an appallingly long list of young Black lives tragically lost too soon at the hands of the police. Enough is enough.
We send our love and hope for healing to the many grieving Black and Brown families and communities around the country who have lost loved ones to police brutality. Guilty verdicts cannot bring back these husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters. True justice can only be achieved when Black and Brown lives are no longer harmed by those who were charged to protect us. And so, the fight for racial justice and the work to eradicate the racist systems in our country continues.
This week’s news only bolsters our resolve and strengthens our commitment to dismantling systemic racism and advancing equity for communities of color in our country. The Alliance stands with our partners and leaders across the nation laboring to make our systems just, and will continue to work to fulfill a vision of equity and security for all children and families.
We cannot stop until Black and Brown children are unhindered to grow up in safe communities and thrive.
