June 3, 2020
George Floyd, Nina Pop, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, David McAtee…
We say their names and those of countless other black lives lost to police brutality and racism. We say their names and vow to strengthen our commitment to the joint struggle against injustice. We stand in solidarity with Black communities, partners, and allies who are protesting around the country to condemn racism and white supremacy while giving all of us hope that another future is possible.
The California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) shares the grief and outrage of our Black brothers and sisters at this time of deep pain and anger. But what does solidarity really mean at this moment? It means taking stock of our work and making a decisive effort to integrate and live racial justice in our daily work. It means we are thinking about how we show up in the work as an allied organization that honors the work of the Black immigrant community even as we pursue our broad immigrant justice agenda.
We know that the movement for immigrant justice and Black liberation are deeply tied to one another. Many Black immigrants call California home. And at every level—local, state and federal—the criminal justice and immigration systems use similar tools to criminalize, detain and harm lives.
But this moment is challenging us to do more. At CIPC, we are looking within, even as we look outwards to a just future we want for everyone. In the next few months, we will engage in a robust organizational discussion over how we can turn these passionate commitments into reality. We invite you to join us in this decisive move to reimagine how we truly stand in fellowship and power with each other. Let us honor the lives that have been lost, and the true, fundamental message of this uprising — by creating a community in which Black lives are loved, respected and able to thrive.
Our partners in the Movement for Black Lives are calling for our support and solidarity this week. Take the time to learn and read about their demands to defund the police and invest in communities and declare your support to #DefundPolice #DefendBlackLife.
You can also show your support and solidarity in other ways, like:
There is no peace without racial justice. Let the work begin NOW.