Dear friends,
These are the last words of George
Floyd, a 46-year-old man who died as a US police
officer pinned him down, kneeling on his neck for seven
minutes, until he suffocated:
"It's my face man
I
didn't do nothing serious man
please
please
please I
can't breathe
please man
please somebody
please
man
I can't breathe
I can't
breathe
please
(inaudible)
man can't breathe, my
face
just get up
I can't breathe
please
(inaudible)
I can't breathe sh*t
I will
I can't
move
mama
mama
I can't
my knee
my nuts
I'm
through
I'm through
I'm claustrophobic
my stomach
hurt
my neck hurts
everything hurts
some water or
something
please
please
I can't breathe
officer
don't kill me
they gon' kill me man
come on
man
I cannot breathe
I cannot breathe
they gon' kill
me
they gon' kill me
I can't breathe
I can't
breathe
please sir
please
please
please I can't
breathe"
Then his eyes shut and the pleas stop. George
Floyd was pronounced dead shortly after.
Right
now, we have a choice. This can just be one more tragic death
at the hands of US police -- or the moment for
change.
We are a movement of more than 60
million people -- when we all speak up, we are
deafening.
So let's raise our voices to join
everyone calling for an end to these racist killings, and push
those in power to do the same.
Sign this open
letter with one click, and when it's massive, Avaaz
will publish it in major US newspapers and websites around the
world.
Let it be an anthem to end the killing and
honour all those we've already lost.
As
people of the world, we grieve the senseless loss of
another life at the hands of US police.
We
stand in community with everyone who is hurting.
These brutal killings must end. Each is a wound
to the heart of our humanity and a shameful, indelible
mark on that great flag of the United States of America.
Racism thrives in the company of silence --
so we will not stay quiet. Racism is a problem that
belongs to us all. It is our fight.
But we
will not allow that fight to become hatred, for then we
are no wiser than those whose hearts we seek to change.
In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: "Darkness
cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate
cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
It is in this spirit that we call on all
those in power to act NOW, and hold President Trump and
US state and local governments accountable to:
- Ensure all officers involved in the killing of
George Floyd face legal due process,
- Expel and prosecute officers for even one instance
of excessive force or the failure to prevent it,
- Ensure every police killing is independently and
transparently investigated.
We pledge to do our
part, meeting the fear, anger, and ignorance of racism
with all the hope, love, and strength of our humanity.
Rest in Power, George Floyd. It will
not be in vain.
|
With
endless hope,
Mike, Marie, Meetali, Sarah, Andrew,
Ricken, Bert and the whole team at Avaaz.
More
information:
Of Course There Are Protests. The State Is
Failing Black People. (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/opinion/george-floyd-minneapolis.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=HomepageGeorge
Floyd killing: sister says officers should face murder charge
as protests grow (The Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/27/george-floyd-sister-police-officers-should-be-charged-with-murder