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Dear Partners,
Like so many across the nation, Families USA is deeply affected by the tragic events in Minneapolis that led to the death of George Floyd -- a moment in which the profound and pervasive racism in our nation led to Mr. Floyd losing his life. Central to our mission at Families USA is a determined and focused effort to ensure the very best health is available to all in our nation. We are eager to work with you and all our partners to confront and overcome racism in all its forms to create a more just society. Thank you for your deep partnership and commitment in this work.
Below is our statement on Mr. Floyd's death along with a longer blog post authored by Amber Hewitt, our Director of Health Equity, and a link to our recent policy report on health inequities and COVID-19.
06.02.2020 / Press Release
A Fierce Urgency of Now Is Required to Address Racial and Health Inequities.
Frederick Isasi, Families USA Executive Director
George Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer after pleading for help for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. His murder is one more example of a criminal justice system that so very often devalues black lives, perpetuating racial injustice.
Floyd’s death occurs in the context of a pandemic that has taken the lives of over 100,000 people in the United States, with our Black neighbors, parents, grandparents, and children almost three times more likely to die than their white friends and neighbors.
COVID-19 is the latest example of the profound racial inequities within the health care system and society. At Families USA, we are listening to the cries of anguish and the cries for justice. We join the calls for criminal justice reform and ending police brutality.
And we honor the memory of George Floyd by challenging institutional racism in our work to ensure that every living soul in our nation has the chance to live their healthiest life. Black lives matter.
For more information:
We stand with you,
Frederick Isasi,
Executive Director
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