First, we would like to start with a content warning. We will be talking about police brutality and the unjust murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers in this email. We will also provide resources and actions to take.

George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer while three other officers watched and did nothing. They did nothing, despite pleas from Floyd. Another life was taken due to centuries of state-fueled violence and the dehumanization of Black people by the state. George Floyd died because a police officer knowingly deprived him of oxygen and ultimately his life. George Floyd did not deserve this, no one deserves this. 

To demand justice for George Floyd, here are actions you can take right now:

1. Call and email Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to hold him accountable for a fair trial: 612-348-5550, [email protected]
2. Call Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and demand accountability: 612-673-2100 
3. Consider donating to Black-centered organizations on the ground in Minneapolis:
   1. Reclaim the Block
   2. Minnesota Freedom Fund
   3. Black Visions Collective

If we could, we would list the names of everyone who was unjustly killed by the police and demand justice for their murder. But there are so many (1,099 just in 2019) that we know about, so many that we don’t know about, so many hashtags but not enough justice, that we can’t. So here are some stats that show the depth of these injustices:

• There were only 27 days in all of 2019 where the police did not kill someone.
• Black people are 3 times more likely to be killed by the police than white people -- and are 1.3 times more likely to be unarmed when it happens.
• 8 cities have police departments that kill Black men at a higher rate than the national murder rate: Reno, Oklahoma City, Santa Ana, Anaheim, St. Louis City, Scottsdale, Hialeah, and Madison. 
• Police violence is now a leading cause of death among young men.

This injustice is why we included a section on police violence in our Peace Plan, which calls for structural reforms that directly produce better policing, including but not limited to stricter policies on the use of force, increased funding for crisis intervention and implicit bias training, and support for community-run justice and intervention programs. We believe that stopping police violence goes in tandem with criminal justice reform and strong gun violence prevention policies, including supporting community-based solutions that promote peace and restorative justice. 

Sign the Peace Plan to show your support for ending police violence

This has been an extremely heavy week. Take care of yourself. You can find a list of mental health resources here. Continue to educate yourself on white supremacy and gun violence. Continue to speak out for justice. In honor of George, Breonna, Trayvon, Michael, Philando, Sandra, Eric, Tamir, Freddie, Laquan, and every other Black person we have unfairly lost to police violence. 

In solidarity,
Ariel Hobbs
Tyah-Amoy Roberts
Bria Smith
Board Members
March For Our Lives