Hello,

The past few weeks have laid bare the 400 years of trauma Black Americans have faced. Racism, white supremacy and police brutality have been in the forefront of our public consciousness since the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and more than a dozen others who have come after them.

These conversations are long overdue in America, and I’m so proud the AFT executive council passed a resolution this week on confronting racism and in support of Black lives. Our resolution lays out 19 commitments from the AFT to combat systemic racism and violence against Black people, including rethinking school security. That starts with separating police departments from schools and ending the militarism and zero-tolerance policies that have criminalized so many of our students of color.

This is a watershed moment for the AFT. In the past we’ve expelled segregated locals and actively supported the civil rights movement. Now we encourage our state and local affiliates to participate fully in dialogues and actions with our community partners and allies. Racism didn’t start with George Floyd’s murder, and as Rayshard Brooks’ homicide made clear, it will not just end, even in the wake of these unprecedented and righteous protests. Combating racism is everyone’s responsibility, which is what this resolution aims to do.

We’re also calling on local school boards to pass and enforce anti-racist policies, and to encourage and support the efforts of teachers, school support staff and our affiliates to address the needs of children who experience trauma from this violence, and fight for the resources—including additional staff, like social workers, counselors, nurses and restorative justice coaches—that students and staff need.

I’m so proud of this resolution, and you can read the full resolution here. We want to make sure America’s students and all of our communities know that we’re ready to do this work.

Can you take a moment to share this resolution on Facebook and Twitter?

As we prepare for the most consequential election season in recent history, we must remember that our activism, combined with our vote, will bring about real change. The road to equality is long, but the AFT has recommitted to ensure that the promise of justice and liberty is a reality for all people.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT President