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Dear Trust for Public Land community,

The killings of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many
other Black Americans has rightfully stirred grief and anger across
our nation. The Trust for Public Land stands against racism and the
racial violence that has long plagued this country and continues to
threaten the lives and livelihoods of Black people as well as
Hispanic, Asian, Indigenous, and other communities of color.

We believe every person deserves the right to feel safe and welcome on
our streets and in our schools, in our parks and on our public lands.
Every person deserves the right to express their beliefs in peaceful
protest and public demonstration. But the events of recent days and
weeks plainly show that in America, too many are too often denied
these rights based solely on the color of their skin.

For nearly 50 years, The Trust for Public Land has worked alongside
communities to preserve cultural landmarks and parks important to the
rich and diverse history of America. Whether it's the years of
persistence and collaboration to create the Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Historical Park, the Kashia Coastal Reserve in Northern
California, the Stonewall National Monument in New York City, or the
work today with communities in Wenatchee, Washington; Maywood,
California; Bridgeport, Connecticut; Queens, New York; or the Grays
Ferry neighborhood of Philadelphia-each of these places
represent the extraordinary diversity of the American story.

The Trust for Public Land's longstanding focus on equity and
justice is a large part of what drew me to this organization. And the
turmoil of this moment only increases the urgency of our mission to
ensure healthy, livable communities for generations to come.

At the same time, I know we still have much work to do to advance the
equitable society we all so long to see. Now is a time for us to
listen, learn, and stand in solidarity with the people and communities
who are most affected by the centuries of systemic racism and
inequalities that harm Black lives today.

Thank you for your energy, ideas, and questions, and your ongoing help
and engagement in this important work.

Diane Regas
President & CEO
The Trust for Public Land

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