Dear John,

We at Issue One are shaken at the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a Minneapolis police officer who pinned him to the ground and left him unable to breathe.

The killing of yet another unarmed Black person by the police should shake this nation to its core. It’s unconscionable that this story continues to repeat itself. It should never happen again.

These past few months have been an intensely trying time for our nation, and it is time for action and a profound soul searching about the way ahead.

Through the confusion and anger, pain and mourning, it is clear that Americans of all stripes know that the path forward can’t look like the one behind us.

Now more than ever, we need to be able to trust in our democratic system — and its institutions. Yet, for many, the political system exists to keep powerless people powerless.

We are at a major inflection point as a people and a nation. Together, we must fix our broken system so that every American voice is heard.

We stand in solidarity with the Floyd family and with those around this country peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly against injustice in our society.

— Nick, Meredith, and the IO Team