Mr. George Floyd was a newcomer to our region.  He moved here five years ago from Houston, Texas seeking opportunity. This community failed Mr. Floyd absolutely. 
 
The actions of the police, committed in broad daylight and observed by many, showed a disregard for human life that fails every moral standard. In the midst of a global pandemic, our community is being rocked by an outbreak of the oldest American sickness: racism, violence and hate directed at people of color.  
 
Thousands of our African American neighbors, fellow Minnesotans, live every day with the legitimate fear of personal harm from the very people entrusted with the duty to protect.  There is no sanctuary, no escape from this reality.  That is a chilling injustice too many of us have learned to accept. 
 
The video footage of the killing of Mr. Floyd makes us all witnesses to the violence, and as witnesses, we bear a responsibility to act.  This responsibility existed before the events of this week; the urgency has never been greater.  

We are providing an important Call-to-Action from Marcus Owens, executive director of the African American Leadership Forum below for your consideration.

The GREATER MSP Partnership is committed to a more just region and focused on action.  That work is underway and there will be more to share in the coming weeks.  Our community has the strength to rise from this low place and create justice and prosperity that reaches all.  We will come together now to transform frustration into resolve, anger into conviction and grief into hope. 

Peter Frosch

President & CEO

CALL TO ACTION

• Listen to yourself and take care of yourself. Take a moment to heal. This is a traumatic event in your life on top of an already traumatic period in all our lives. Do not allow your emotions to overrun your personal wellbeing. If you need, there are resources to help you process your pain.
• Check on your friends and family and make sure they are ok.
• Make room for our healers to place their hands and their words on those that are in pain.
• Support Activists that are out raising our voices loud so all can hear. Be in Solidarity and provide solutions, so their words and actions are not in vain.
• Tell your local officials (i.e. The Minneapolis Police Chief, Mayor of Minneapolis, Governor) how you feel. Let them know you are in pain, and you demand they do something about it, NOW.