Now more than ever, we are in this together. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Dear Defender,

In times of pain, many people turn to nature to find solace. Listening to the
wind rustling in the trees, being mesmerized by ocean waves, or smiling at the
wonder of birds singing, evokes a calm we crave, especially when faced with
adversity. But the privilege of access to nature is not universal, and as recent
events have again illuminated, neither is the privilege of safety in
neighborhoods or equal treatment under the law. Sadly, many of us find ourselves
protesting in city streets rather than enjoying the natural world around us
right now.

The stunning unrest sweeping the country this week is in direct response to the
systemic racism that persists in the United States. When people of color cannot
walk, drive, jog, or birdwatch freely in the communities – where we all live –
how can our natural spaces ever deliver benefits equally for all? In the wake of
the senseless killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and many
others in a continued pattern of violence toward people of color, Defenders of
Wildlife will not be silent.

For almost 75 years, we have been unwavering defenders of wildlife and wild
places. We fight for the vulnerable, the threatened and endangered. We’re in the
courts, on Capitol Hill, in the field and alongside partners to drive positive
change for nature. But acts of racism and violence put people’s lives at risk,
including our staff, and threaten our mission of creating a place where wildlife
and people coexist and thrive.

This week, some have asked us why a wildlife conservation organization is
getting involved. Our answer is simple. When injustice prevails — whether it is
police brutality or confrontations in a city park — it threatens the public
interest and everyone who works to advance it. If civil society isn’t safe,
functional, fair, and accessible to everybody, it won’t for work for anybody.
Without justice, there will not be peace, and without peace, there will not be
progress. We will do our part to advocate for the positive change we want to see
in the world and we urge every person and every organization in the country to
do the same. Now more than ever, we are in this together.

We have much work to do to combat racism. At Defenders, we know that showing
solidarity with marginalized communities is not nearly enough. We are listening.
We are learning every day. We are committed to active anti-racist practices and
doing what we can to ensure a safe and healthy future for all of us. We
vigorously condemn all forms of discrimination, violence, bigotry and hatred in
our society. Injustice that affects any one of us affects all of us.

Sincerely,

Jamie Rappaport Clark

President, Defenders of Wildlife

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Defenders of Wildlife 1130 17th Street NW • Washington, DC 20036 defenders.org [[link removed]]


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