Today is Juneteenth.
It’s a celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States and represents freedom. This year’s Juneteenth will be unlike any other as we continue to demand that promise of freedom.
Because the truth is, the oppression of Black lives never ended.
Across the country, thousands of people are taking to the streets to call for racial justice. While protesting or joining large gatherings, we are urging our patients to remember that we are still in the midst of a pandemic and threatened by an extremely contagious, deadly disease.
We understand that for some — as NNU vice president and registered nurse Cathy Kennedy eloquently put it — “marching in the streets to literally fight for our lives is simply another calculated health risk that people are willing to take.”
That’s why we created an informational video to help all of us choosing to hit the streets this weekend and beyond to protest in a safer way.
NNU stands in solidarity with those protesting to defend Black lives. But we know that there are many ways to be part of this movement – from educating yourself, donating money, sharing information, and more. We trust that you will make the best decision for yourself and your safety.
This pandemic and systemic racism won’t go away unless we work together to keep each other safe. Our Black and Brown patients are infected and dying at two to four times the national rate from COVID-19, and protesting without proper protections will only put more lives at risk unnecessarily.
Together we must root out the systemic racism that exists in our law enforcement, health care, and beyond. It’s the only way we can solve this pandemic and build a just future for all.
Stay motivated, stay safe,
National Nurses United
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