PSI Interamerica declares solidarity with brothers and sisters in the USA fighting for racial justice

The killing of 46-year-old African American, George Floyd on May 25th in Minneapolis, Minnesota was a shocking act of violence. PSI Interamerica declares its solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the United States that are engaged in the fight for acknowledgment of and accountability for the violence suffered in Black and Brown communities across the USA.

This is just the latest incident of an unwarranted police killing of an unarmed black man in the United States. The number and strength of demonstrations that are growing throughout the country confirm that equal justice under the law is not a reality. We must all use our voices to forcefully condemn the consistent violence inflicted upon Black people and other communities of color.

In recent years, PSI Interamerica has accompanied, repudiated and fought against the growth of racism and hate crimes against migrants and then against Asian Americans with the emergence of COVID-19. This ignorant and dangerous hatred is strategically fueled by politicians’ scapegoating. We collectively commit to resist and repel racism and xenophobia wherever it is encountered.

We now see the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on Black and Brown people throughout the Americas. These effects include the lack of protection of front line public sector workers, the majority of whom are women and many of whom are black or brown.

Everyone has a right to live and a right to participate in their community without fear of violence because of the color of their skin. We understand that economic justice is impossible without racial justice; without freedom, liberation and fair treatment for everyone regardless of race, color, gender or sexual orientation.

PSI Interamerica unites with our affiliates from the United States and throughout the region to demonstrate our solidarity, compassion and commitment to the fight to guarantee that all people are treated fairly, with dignity and with respect.

PSI Affiliate Statements on the Murder of George Floyd

AFSCME
https://www.afscme.org/press/releases/2020/afscme-saunders-there-is-a-better-way-to-channel-our-energy-and-anger

AFT
https://www.aft.org/press-release/statement-american-federation-teachers-officers-killing-george-floyd

CUPE
https://cupe.ca/cupe-calls-solidarity-face-racism-and-violence

National Nurses United
https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/national-nurses-statement-george-floyd-and-national-policing-practices

SEIU
https://www.seiu.org/2020/05/seius-henry-officers-responsible-for-the-death-of-george-floyd-must-be-held-accountable

Teamsters
https://teamster.org/news/2020/05/teamsters-statement-murder-george-floyd