CHSA Statement Expressing Grief and Solidarity with the Black Community After the Murder of George Floyd
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2020
Celia Olivas, CHSA Communications Director: (209) 981-9141, [email protected]
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association released the following statement:
“The murder of George Floyd has sparked an outpouring of grief and anger among congressional staff and Americans across the country. Our hearts are with those who are wrestling with the pain of losing not only George Floyd, but also Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor in recent weeks. From across the Capitol and across the aisle, CHSA stands with members of the black community including our friends and colleagues in the Congressional Black Associates, the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus, and among our own membership.
“Many of us may feel overwhelmed by sadness, anger, and helplessness. These tragedies are heartbreaking reminders that the consequences of systemic racism can be deadly. Violent acts against black and brown communities stretch across our nation’s history and persist each day, even when we don’t see them in the headlines. The families of these victims, and the countless families like them, deserve justice and accountability. In our daily work in Congress, our personal lives, and in our own Latino community, it’s incumbent on all of us to intentionally confront colorism, racism, and oppression in all their forms.
“When we repeatedly witness discrimination, it can have a profound emotional toll—not only on our mental well-being but on our ability to perform our work. Yesterday’s moment of silence at CHSA’s monthly general body meeting was the beginning, not the end. To further uphold our organization’s commitment to supporting Latinos and people of color in Congress, CHSA will facilitate listening sessions in the coming weeks for our members and other staff of color. It is our hope that these sessions will foster unity and conversations about dismantling racism and building equity in society."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2020
Celia Olivas, CHSA Communications Director: (209) 981-9141, [email protected]
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association released the following statement:
“The murder of George Floyd has sparked an outpouring of grief and anger among congressional staff and Americans across the country. Our hearts are with those who are wrestling with the pain of losing not only George Floyd, but also Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor in recent weeks. From across the Capitol and across the aisle, CHSA stands with members of the black community including our friends and colleagues in the Congressional Black Associates, the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus, and among our own membership.
“Many of us may feel overwhelmed by sadness, anger, and helplessness. These tragedies are heartbreaking reminders that the consequences of systemic racism can be deadly. Violent acts against black and brown communities stretch across our nation’s history and persist each day, even when we don’t see them in the headlines. The families of these victims, and the countless families like them, deserve justice and accountability. In our daily work in Congress, our personal lives, and in our own Latino community, it’s incumbent on all of us to intentionally confront colorism, racism, and oppression in all their forms.
“When we repeatedly witness discrimination, it can have a profound emotional toll—not only on our mental well-being but on our ability to perform our work. Yesterday’s moment of silence at CHSA’s monthly general body meeting was the beginning, not the end. To further uphold our organization’s commitment to supporting Latinos and people of color in Congress, CHSA will facilitate listening sessions in the coming weeks for our members and other staff of color. It is our hope that these sessions will foster unity and conversations about dismantling racism and building equity in society."
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