LCHC STATEMENT CONDEMNING POLICE BRUTALITY AND SYSTEMIC RACISM AGAINST BLACK LIVES
Dear Partners and Allies,
Over the past several weeks, we witnessed the Black community endure the loss of lives at the hands of police and white supremacists. Police violence and the inaction of our criminal justice system has spurred millions of Americans to speak out and demand justice. We are deeply saddened and enraged that the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery—as well as too many before them—were viciously cut short. We grieve and mourn their deaths and the lives of their loved ones and communities that will forever be affected. We stand in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters and commit to collectively fight against anti-Blackness in order to achieve racial equity for all.
Police brutality against Black bodies is a root cause of racial health inequities in communities across the country. Over 1,000 people are killed by police every year and Black people are three times more likely to be killed than White people. In addition, the effects of systemic violence and unjust practices lead to decreased quality of life and have a direct impact on the overall health of communities of color. We acknowledge that this isn’t just an issue with the criminal justice system in our country but in every aspect of our governance. In the health system, we see stark disparities between Black and non-Black communities:
- Birth rates – Black infants are 8 times more likely to die from complications related to low birthweight compared to non-Latinx White infants.
- Health coverage – Despite the ACA expanding coverage to 2.8 million Black Americans, they continue to have higher rates of uninsurance (9.7%) compared to White Non-Latinx Americans (5.4%).
- Life Expectancy – Black Americans consistently have the lowest life expectancy compared to White Non-Latinx individuals.
From cradle to grave, Black people bear the brunt of injustice and inequality in America. Black people deserve protection and fair treatment from their justice system, and also deserve a health system that treats them with dignity and opportunity.
We rise in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters. We rise with our Afro-Latinx, Undocu-Black, Black Immigrant, Black Queer and Trans, Black people with disablities, and all other marginalized Black people. We support and commit to utilize our privilege and platform to amplify Black narratives and stories, and fight for real structural change.
In solidarity,
LCHC Staff and Board
Resources:
For resources on where to donate, what petitions to sign, and how to take action please see here:
- Reclaim the Block
- Black Visions Collective
- George Floyd Memorial Fund
- I Run With Maud – Justice for Ahmaud Arbery Fundraiser
- Justice for Breonna Taylor Petition and Fundraiser
- Nationwide Bail Fund
- Color of Change
To learn more about police violence and antiracism, please visit:
- Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights—New Era of Public Safety: A Guide to Fair, Safe, and Effective Community Policing
- Equal Justice Initiative—Tragic Death of George Floyd Reveals Continuing Problem of Police Violence
- Campaign Zero—Solutions
- Center for Policing Equity—The Science of Justice: Race, Justice, and Police Use of Force
- The Opportunity Agenda—Promoting Accountability
- PODCAST: Will the George Floyd Protests Finally Catalyze Real Change? (Make Me Smart with Kai and Molly)
