The wait is over, and the verdict is in. Derek Chauvin is guilty on all charges. We are now left with the very necessary and important question: Where do we go from here as individuals, organizations, communities, cities and a nation?
Piedmont Anti-Racism & Diversity Committee (PADC) encourages everyone reading this statement to understand that we all have a role to play in valuing and protecting other human beings. We will only become a just society when each of us takes personal responsibility for the prejudices and implicit bias we hold.
To be sure, it took the entire world watching to get this verdict. Humanity and decency are our collective responsibility, and when this is absent abhorrent behaviors take root. This case proves yet again that we all must hold each other and our institutions responsible for ensuring our collective betterment.
If one person or institution involved had chosen not to honor George Floyd’s humanity this verdict would not have been possible -- from the 17-year-old who boldly filmed what she knew was not right, to the bystanders pleading for mercy, to the 911 operator who called the cops on the cops, and even the State of Minnesota Attorney General, whose office assembled a dream prosecutorial team. Police officers and administrators testified that Chauvin’s behavior was not policing. Medical examiners deftly testified that George Floyd’s murder was caused by law enforcement. And a jury of peers - everyday people like ourselves - declared the guilty verdict. Were it not for protesters and activists who took to the streets and demanded a change -- globally -- this verdict would not have been possible.
Still, the verdict did not bring fulfillment. How could it? George Floyd is not with his family, and too many black boys, girls, men and women have died needlessly, their humanity ignored.
The need for anti-racism work is now more evident than ever. PADC’s work is grounded in this commitment. We believe that each of us has the power to make a difference, and that our work in this community and beyond to educate ourselves and each other on how to be anti-racist will create the community of inclusion and belonging we dream of today.
Piedmont Anti-Racism & Diversity Committee Executive Board
April 25, 2021
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Here are some ways you can be involved, attend to your own self care, and support local Black owned businesses:
United States SenateSenator Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3841
FAX (202) 228-3954
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 393-0707
FAX (415) 393-0710
Senator Alex Padilla
B03 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3553
333 Bush Street, Suite 3225
San Francisco, CA 94104
United States Congress, California District 9
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
2444 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2661
FAX (202) 225-9817
1301 Clay Street, Suite 1000-N
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 763-0370
FAX (510) 763-6538
to showcase diversity through the universal languages of food and music. Add your name here if you are interested in supporting the Piedmont Food Fest or email rctsai@gmail.com with questions.
Black Laughs Matter
Black Woman’s Wellness Retreat
Bay Area hikes
Piedmont Anti-Racism & Diversity Committee (PADC) encourages everyone reading this statement to understand that we all have a role to play in valuing and protecting other human beings. We will only become a just society when each of us takes personal responsibility for the prejudices and implicit bias we hold.
To be sure, it took the entire world watching to get this verdict. Humanity and decency are our collective responsibility, and when this is absent abhorrent behaviors take root. This case proves yet again that we all must hold each other and our institutions responsible for ensuring our collective betterment.
If one person or institution involved had chosen not to honor George Floyd’s humanity this verdict would not have been possible -- from the 17-year-old who boldly filmed what she knew was not right, to the bystanders pleading for mercy, to the 911 operator who called the cops on the cops, and even the State of Minnesota Attorney General, whose office assembled a dream prosecutorial team. Police officers and administrators testified that Chauvin’s behavior was not policing. Medical examiners deftly testified that George Floyd’s murder was caused by law enforcement. And a jury of peers - everyday people like ourselves - declared the guilty verdict. Were it not for protesters and activists who took to the streets and demanded a change -- globally -- this verdict would not have been possible.
Still, the verdict did not bring fulfillment. How could it? George Floyd is not with his family, and too many black boys, girls, men and women have died needlessly, their humanity ignored.
The need for anti-racism work is now more evident than ever. PADC’s work is grounded in this commitment. We believe that each of us has the power to make a difference, and that our work in this community and beyond to educate ourselves and each other on how to be anti-racist will create the community of inclusion and belonging we dream of today.
Piedmont Anti-Racism & Diversity Committee Executive Board
April 25, 2021
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Here are some ways you can be involved, attend to your own self care, and support local Black owned businesses:
- Solidarity Circle: Reflections on Where We Are as a Community After the Murder of George Floyd. Saturday, April 24th at 4PM by the Piedmont Park Exedra (blue vase in the center of town). Join your neighbors in solidarity at the Piedmont Exedra to mark this moment in time since the George Floyd verdict. We will create space for each other in peace, integrity, community, equality, and justice. Please bring thoughts or feelings to share, or anything you would like to leave at the George Floyd installation at the Exedra wall.
- PADC Fireside Chat with Eddy Zheng
- Political Action
United States SenateSenator Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3841
FAX (202) 228-3954
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 393-0707
FAX (415) 393-0710
Senator Alex Padilla
B03 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3553
333 Bush Street, Suite 3225
San Francisco, CA 94104
United States Congress, California District 9
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
2444 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2661
FAX (202) 225-9817
1301 Clay Street, Suite 1000-N
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 763-0370
FAX (510) 763-6538
- White Allyship
- Piedmont Food Fest
to showcase diversity through the universal languages of food and music. Add your name here if you are interested in supporting the Piedmont Food Fest or email rctsai@gmail.com with questions.
- Engage in self-care
Black Laughs Matter
Black Woman’s Wellness Retreat
Bay Area hikes
- Support Black Owned Businesses
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