Advancing Justice | AAJC Calls for Justice for George Floyd and Urges Asian Americans to Speak Out In Solidarity With African American Community
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Washington, DC — As the news of the firing of four Minneapolis, Minnesota law enforcement officers broke, Asian American civil rights groups across the country are confronting the shameful fact that one of the officers involved in George Floyd’s murder is Asian American.
In response to this tragic and senseless death, John C. Yang, Advancing Justice | AAJC’s President and Executive Director said:
“George Floyd’s cries of ‘I can’t breathe’ parallel the words of Eric Garner, who was killed by police in 2014. As George Floyd lay struggling to breathe, Officer Tou Thao had the opportunity and the authority to stop the situation. It is unconscionable that he chose to do nothing.”
“No matter your station in life, any one of us in a community of color could be George Floyd. If you are a person of color and don’t see how easily you could be pinned on the ground begging for air, you need to look again.”
“We are in a time where doing anything while Black garners unwanted attention and unnecessary law enforcement interaction – and too often death. We are also in a time where being Asian Americans means being harassed, attacked, and blamed for COVID-19. As many Asian Americans are speaking out about this hate, we must also show up for the African American community.”
“Racism and discrimination are experienced by every African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian American in this country. We must act against this violence and assault on our communities. It has always been time for racial solidarity, but we need to come together now more than ever.”