June 9, 2020
WaterWatch of Oregon stands with and among those calling for racial justice and accountability in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless other people of color at the hands of law enforcement and/or white supremacists.
The brutal and horrific killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer over Memorial Day Weekend compels us to express solidarity with black people across the country struggling with yet another shocking and needless killing of a black person. We too mourn with others attempting to make sense of the seemingly endless line of tragedies that almost seem to follow a grisly, tragic script.
The environment and racial justice are connected. Indigenous communities and people of color are less likely to have access to clean water and clean air, and suffer greater health, cultural, economic, and other risks and impacts due to systemic racism. This is the same systemic, institutional racism that causes widespread fear and, as we have seen again and again, results in the killing of people of color at the hands of law enforcement and others not only in recent weeks, but across the history of the United States. Racial justice and environmental justice go hand in hand.
Systemic racism is an ongoing public health crisis for people of color. This is the other, and older, pandemic in the United States. WaterWatch of Oregon condemns violence against black people and people of color. We stand for and are working toward a just and equitable democracy, and a healthy environment for all. We stand among those calling for justice, accountability, and an end to the violence and inhumanity. We are committed to action to address the other pandemic in this nation.
In support of those groups on the front lines fighting for justice for black, indigenous, and people of color in communities throughout Oregon, we encourage you to engage with and support the following organizations — just a few of the many advocating for justice and an end to the violence:
- Black Lives Matter
- Black Visions Collective
- Democracy Now
- Don’t Shoot PDX
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund
- Reclaim the Block
- Unite Oregon
- Urban League of Portland
For rivers — and justice,
The Staff of WaterWatch of Oregon