May 26, 2020 Washington, D.C.
The NAACP released the following statement regarding the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police Officers:
Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP, stated, “The words, ‘I can’t breathe!’ echo louder and louder as we think back to 2014 when New York police officers killed Eric Garner in the same manner. Yet, here we are waking up to the untimely murder of George Floyd by police officers. The outrage we feel and the justice we demand will reverberate throughout Minneapolis and the country as a whole. We are done dying. This moment calls for us to unify, uplift the family, and pursue justice.”
Leslie Remond, president, Minneapolis NAACP, stated, “The cruel display of the state-sanctioned murder that took place in Minneapolis is yet another repugnant show of violence by the police. The actions of the officers involved are inexcusable and warrant swift consequences. Their actions represent a dangerous precedent set forth by the racist, xenophobic, and prejudicial sentiment in our society against Black people. We witnessed a violation of our human rights, and we must hold all involved criminally accountable for the death of Mr. Floyd.” “We lost a young man due to senseless violence, but justice did not prevail,” said Adora Obi Nweze, President of the Florida NAACP State Conference. “Last year we pushed for the arrest of George Zimmerman and a thorough investigation and trial. Today, we are still called to act. No one should be allowed to use this law to commit a senseless crime again.”
Santa Maria/Lompoc NAACP president, Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt, stated“I am deeply hurt, angry, sad, dismayed, and disappointed that in the greatest country in the world and with our system of justice, we continue to struggle with the 243 year old issues of systemic and institutional racism. I have repeatedly watched the video recordings of Mr. Floyd’s lynching, his cries for his mother and plead for his life. Yet, these four officers who took an oath to protect and serve, had NO MERCY!! As I said in 2013 when George Zimmerman was acquitted of the senseless murder of Trayvon Martin, it is TIME NOW for individuals and communities across the nation to examine themselves and stop brushing around the subject of systemic and institutional racism, discrimination, inequalities and inequities. They are REAL and obviously matter to those in positions of power.
The Santa Maria/Lompoc Branch of the NAACP call on all Americans to remember Mr. George Floyd and the 8 minutes and 46 seconds he was kneed while he plead for his life. His death should not be in vain. “
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization found to address existing racial and ethnic disparities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue at naacp.org and the Santa Maria-Lompoc Branch work at santamarialompocnaacp.org.
Santa Maria/Lompoc NAACP
Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt, President
Phone: (805)-448-7869
Email: lyonspruitt@msn.com
Link to PDF of this statement