Jack,
This country was built on the backs of Black and Indigenous people. Monuments to that oppression and systems that maintain oppression must be removed to create a more just society that serves us all.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week, protesters gathered peacefully to call for the removal of the “La Jornada” sculpture in front of the Albuquerque Museum—a statue that features conquistador Juan de Oñate. A group of armed civilians then attacked protesters, shooting one man in the process. I am deeply upset by the actions of this group, which chose to interfere in a peaceful protest to remove a monument of suppression.
I want to be clear in my support of both the Black Lives Matter movement and the work to decolonize our country and to decriminalize black and brown lives.
Monuments to the confederacy and the conquistadors are monuments to oppression and horrifying injustice. It’s time to stop glorifying this ugly part of our past.
The time is now to remove these symbols of hate and suppression and to do the work to tear down structural and systemic racism in our nation. This is just the beginning.
Together, we can focus our work on ending voter suppression in this country and lifting the voices of Black and Indigenous people at the polls in our government.
To start, please check out the work done by Fair Fight in Georgia to end the attack on Georgia voters. What affects one voter affects us all.
Go here: Fairfight.com
Thank you,
Maggie
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Maggie Toulouse Oliver serves the state of New Mexico as Secretary of State, where she is dedicated to fighting for clean and fair elections devoid of dark money and outside influence.
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