George Floyd was a loving family member and partner, and he made an impact on the lives of people around him. His murder is just one injustice in an extensive history of violence against Black people in this country. It reminds us how deeply anti-Black racism runs throughout our society, and how far we still need to go to ensure that the lives of Black people matter. Racism is a public health crisis.
The guilty verdict in the murder of George Floyd is an important step towards accountability in a system that is too often unjust. While we recognize this outcome as a critical, long-overdue milestone in an even longer fight, we know that there is much more work to do.
The journey to racial justice has been and continues to be exhausting and painful. When the step towards accountability took over nine minutes of live video and global protests against oppressive systems to come to fruition, yesterday’s verdict can feel like it was “too little, too late.”
Accountability is the consequences we see in the trial and verdict. Justice is ending systemic oppression and racism in the United States.
We remain committed to doing our part to end anti-Black racism in our community by advocating for legislation and policies that advance equity, supporting Black-owned organizations advancing social justice, and expanding and deepening partnership with organizations focused on the health of the Black community.
Join us in this urgent and necessary work by having brave conversations at work and at home, doing intentional self-reflection, and seeking out educational resources.
Tuesday’s verdict may affect us in different ways. Some of us may be feeling a sense of relief and justice; for others, the experience surrounding the trial may be retraumatizing. Whatever you are feeling, support is available 24/7 from Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255. Our Walk-In Center is always open at 4353 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80220.