Washington, DC – Following the killing of George Floyd and the arrest of one Minneapolis police officer, FCNL General Secretary Diane Randall issued the following statement:
Contact:
Tim McHugh, media@fcnl.org;
202-903-2515
“George Floyd’s simple act of buying groceries should not have resulted in his death. Mere suspicion of an unarmed black man should not have been met with brutality by the Minneapolis police. This is but the latest in a string of incidents that highlights the institutional violence and racism that communities of color confront daily.
“As people of faith, we offer our love and our condolences to the family and friends of George Floyd. But love and condolences are not enough. For too long, people of color have experienced racial profiling, undue use of force, and murder at the hands of police. This unjust system must change and all of us must take responsibility for making that change happen.
“As Quakers, we reject violence at all times and in all circumstances. Our hearts are torn open by the violent confrontations not just in Minneapolis but around the country.
“We believe in the paramount need to protect and promote human rights, civil liberties, and civil rights. Friends seek a society free from discrimination due to race, creed, gender, ethnic or national heritage, age, or sexual orientation. This should not be a radical concept or position in 2020, but sadly it is still far from the societal norm.
“Our current president also bears direct responsibility for escalating the violence in this country. Donald Trump is dangerous to all, especially to people of color. His threats and incitement to violence against people protesting their outrage escalates the problem.
“We need moral leaders who can stand up to racism and discrimination in all its forms. There can be no justice until we all confront the destructiveness of white supremacy and its disregard for African Americans.
“As a country, we can honor the memory of George Floyd by not being silent and by practicing fearlessness. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, at times like these ‘silence is betrayal.’ It is time for all of us to stand up and be counted.”
To learn more, please visit www.fcnl.org.
