This statement can be attributed to Olivia Golden, executive director of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).

Washington, D.C., May 29. 2020 – The recent killings of three African Americans are yet another troubling reminder of the legacy of deep-seated racism that is embedded in our society. Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man gunned down while jogging in a Georgia neighborhood; Breonna Taylor, a 26-year old EMT in Louisville, KY, killed by local police while resting in her home; and George Floyd, a Black man, and resident of Minneapolis, MN, slain by law enforcement who used excessive force during an arrest, choking him to death before witnesses who videotaped the killing. And now three more Black families join the countless other Black families and the greater community who have had to continuously mourn the loss of a loved one because of racism and white supremacy.

It comes at a time when many Black communities across the nation have been disproportionally impacted by the deaths and economic challenges from the coronavirus pandemic. It is no surprise that on top of all that, these recent painful and unprovoked killings have horrified and mobilized the growing and deeply rooted pain for many of these communities, left wondering if America’s promise will ever extend to the Black community.

The widespread anger, hurt, and anxiety will likely intensify if there is not true and sustainable change. At CLASP, we acknowledge that we need to maintain a serious commitment to policy change at all levels of government including a firm commitment to dismantle the institutional racism that continues to plague the Black community. We will persist in centering these efforts within our work and maintaining our commitment to using our advocacy to tear down systemic inequalities.

For those who are suffering with this great sadness and pain, CLASP shares your burden and commits to being part of the solution. At CLASP, some of our team directly know the pain that you feel; others, including me, will never know it directly. All of us at CLASP stand with you in this movement and will use our voice to demand a different tomorrow. We as an organization share your concern and urgency. We also know that it is long overdue for our leaders and lawmakers to address the epidemic of hatred, white nationalism, racism, bigotry, and brutality that has devastated our country for over 400 years.