Friends,
This morning, I write to you on what I believe is the most difficult moment in our country's last 50 years. I say that even as I know systemic injustice has been with us over that last half century.
George Floyd's death in what was clearly an extreme abuse of force and certainly appears to meet the legal standards for felony murder, is abhorrent to all you and I stand for.
Click below to see President Obama's words that speak to me and many on the pain and the work we must do to address systemic racism and our broken criminal justice system.
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We are also at a difficult moment on COVID 19, with Phase 1 starting last Friday and so many questions about what comes next, whether we can meet this challenge, and how we should do so.
I don't have all the words to describe these two challenges and I cannot make the pain or the challenges go away. I only offer you this note, the desire to name this as the most difficult moment in our lifetimes, and the determination to act to lead and to stay with you as we seek to face the moment and act as best we can.
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The above link to the video shows two leaders of Arlington's criminal justice system. I recommend it as a way to hear directly from them. I accept responsibility to work to change our system to make it better and address systemic racism; I ask you to consider that our law enforcement is different from Minneapolis and we should recognize that, even as we work diligently and urgently to address injustice and systemic racism in Arlington.
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You also know that Friday started Phase 1, and many of you are wondering about the restaurants and places you have seen where it appears social distancing is not being followed. When I wrote last week, I shared with you that I support the decision to move to Phase 1.
I will not tell you that the decision to go to Phase 1 is easy. We met four of the six metrics and I am persuaded that we can meet the other two. Like many of you, I am concerned about a second wave that could result from the opening and actions by some that are not being responsible.
To help make this work, we need you to join in the effort to help make Phase 1 work through your actions and our "We're Covered" initiative on masks:
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I also ask you to consider that the Governor, the rest of Northern Virginia, Maryland outside the suburbs, and now DC were set to move to Phase 1. The evidence from the last two days, this weekend, and the last week is that infections are down and fatalities are down. Yet, even one lost is too many.
We also know that the data so far indicates that COVID 19 in Arlington is disproportionately infecting Latino and, it appears, Black residents. We are and must work to address this as we try to protect all our residents in Phase 1 and throughout.
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As we acknowledge the challenges, please know that we must remain vigilante about washing out hands, social distancing when out, and the new mandate to wear face coverings in public settings.
This is the most difficult moment in my life for our country and, in many ways, for Arlington. I know that we can meet this moment with our best: controlling our health, encouraging others to do the same, and acting to address systemic racism and inequality.
I am with you in working on these goals, and take great comfort from knowing you are with me working on them as well.
Yours,
Matt
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