Statement on the Death of George Floyd

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Contact: Peri Jude Radecic, Chief Executive Officer
Disability Rights Pennsylvania
Phone: (800) 692-7443 x 302
E-Mail: pradecic@disabilityrightspa.org
disabilityrightspa.org

Disability Rights Pennsylvania

Statement on the Death of George Floyd

Harrisburg, PA – Disability Rights Pennsylvania mourns the death of George Floyd and all of those who are victims of violence and institutional racism, many of whom are a part of the disability community.

Disability Rights Pennsylvania stands at the intersection of disability and race. We, like many of you, have watched for years in horror as racism takes lives of Black and brown people from their communities and turns them into hashtags to be mourned publicly or otherwise forgotten in obscurity. We cannot remain silent. Doing so would make us complicit. We reject racism and white supremacy and will not stay silent while long-standing institutions disregard the civil and human rights of communities of color. We cannot think of disability rights as separate from civil rights. The fight for equality and justice is one we have joined and is one we will win. To stay silent is to betray our mission, our vision, and our communities.

We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the families of Black and brown men and women who have been killed by police officers.

Fundamental change is overdue. Disability Rights Pennsylvania will play our part in this change. We stand ready to listen and work with other organizations to ensure a more just and inclusive Pennsylvania.