Safe & Sound Issues Statement Regarding George Floyd’s Death
Milwaukee, WI – As a resident focused organization, Safe & Sound recognizes that silence is complicity. We are frustrated, angry, and extremely saddened by the death of George Floyd, and unfortunately, not shocked. Injustices like this have become an all too common facet of daily life for African Americans and people of color in our country and in Milwaukee. As a community we are continuing to struggle from the effects of COVID-19, which has so far disproportionately affected communities of color, while at the same time we are now trying to process and heal from another senseless killing of an unarmed black man.
Safe & Sound staff have a firsthand view each day of how the effects of racism and disinvestment in our neighborhoods have affected black people and communities of color in Milwaukee. We understand the frustration and anger that has led to the protest and subsequent looting this weekend. Although we do not condone the actions that have caused damage to our neighborhoods – the places where we live and work, we do support the strength and unity from many different communities and races that have been on display in protests around the city this past weekend.
As an organization, it is incumbent on us to do more. We must go beyond our current and past efforts in order to address the root causes and systems that perpetuate these issues, while working within our mission to ensure the neighborhoods we serve have the resources and strength to grow and thrive moving forward.
We also recognize that we have a unique relationship and partnership with the Milwaukee Police Department, and pledge to do everything within our mission to work with them as partners to ensure a lens of equity and empathy is brought to the work of both organizations as we engage with residents in our neighborhoods. We look forward to the challenge of continuing to look for tangible and inclusive ways to foster, and as needed restore, a healthy relationship between law enforcement and communities of color in Milwaukee.
Safe & Sound’s vision is a safe neighborhood for everyone in Milwaukee, and we will continue our necessary work until that vision is realized and EVERYONE can feel safe.
More about the 2020 Racial Justice Protests
- Evers Reflects on Year of Pandemic, Protests - Shawn Johnson - Dec 28th, 2020
- The Year of the National Guard - Jenny Peek - Dec 28th, 2020
- Baldwin Questions U.S. Marshall’s Role in Tosa Protests - Isiah Holmes - Dec 19th, 2020
- Op Ed: Vote No on COPS Grant - Markasa Tucker - Dec 18th, 2020
- People’s Revolution Marks 200 Days of Protest - Graham Kilmer - Dec 15th, 2020
- Supervisor Clancy Applauds Activists on 200th Day of Protests - Sup. Ryan Clancy - Dec 14th, 2020
- The “Molotov Cocktail” That Wasn’t - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 23rd, 2020
- City Hall: Police Chief, Alderman Fight Over Use of Canines - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 23rd, 2020
- Will BLM Movement Sway State Voters? - Bridgit Bowden - Oct 20th, 2020
- City Hall: Community Groups Propose Changes - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 19th, 2020
Read more about 2020 Racial Justice Protests here
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