LCLAA Repudiates the Brutal Murder of George Floyd and Demands Justice
Media Statement
29 May 2020
Contact: Andrea Arenas / 202-316-1212
Washington D.C.- On Tuesday, May 25, a 46 year-old black man was killed at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. George Floyd died after pleading for his life, while a police officer pressed his knee into his neck. His dying words were “I can’t breathe.” Mr. Floyd’s death comes just weeks after the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, both of whom- like George Floyd- were victims of police violence.
The deadly incident sparked protests and outrage in at least seven cities across our nation. In Louisville, KY., tensions mounted over Breonna Taylor’s death (in March). Meanwhile, back in Minneapolis, police arrested Omar Jimenez, a black Latino television journalist who was legally covering the protest.
As people took to the streets their anger and frustration, stemming from the recent wave of African American murders committed by law enforcement, they were further exacerbated by Trump’s initial lack of response, followed by his threats to deploy the National Guard. This position fully disregards that in 2019, police violence led to the murder of over a thousand African Americans (Source: Mapping Police Violence).
LCLAA stands in solidarity with communities of color across the country, as we join them in demanding justice for all those who have fallen victim to police violence.
“Today we mourn the death of George Floyd, a man whose murder sheds light on the perpetuation of discrimination, hate and violence against communities of color,” said Yanira Merino, LCLAA National President. “We demand that those responsible for this heinous act, be held accountable. Communities of color should not have to live under the constant fear of law enforcement. Eradicating racism and bigotry should be a battle we all join in order to ensure a life of dignity and equality for generations to come.”
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The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) is the leading national organization for Latino(a) workers and their families. LCLAA was born in 1972 out of the need to educate, organize and mobilize Latinos in the labor movement and has expanded its influence to organize Latinos in an effort to impact workers’ rights and their influence in the political process. LCLAA represents the interest of more than 2 million Latino workers in the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), The Change to Win Federation, Independent Unions and all its membership. Visit LCLAA on the web at www.lclaa.org, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.