Dismantling Racism and Ending Violence Against the Black Community

Skyridge stands in solidarity with all of our brothers and sisters in dismantling racism and ending violence against the black community. We commit to working with local groups and churches in this struggle, and we endorse statements made by the Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church USA, Kalamazoo Nonviolent Opponents of War, and American Friends Service Committee.

Church of the Brethren

“Our hearts break for the loss of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others who have lost their lives due to the color of their skin. Each death represents injustices disproportionately affecting the Black community.

“Many across our country have protested in the wake of George Floyd’s death because of the way authorities delayed arresting and charging the police officers involved, but most importantly because his killing is a perpetuation of the injustice, violence, and racism that have devalued and harmed Black Americans for centuries.

“Many protests have remained peaceful; violence has erupted in some. What is clear is that the nation, and especially our sisters and brothers from various racial backgrounds are hurting and in mourning.

“In Matthew 3:8 we find John the Baptist’s call: “Bear fruit worthy of repentance.” Bearing the fruit of repentance, we stand in solidarity with all who suffer from injustice, violence, and racism. …”

Read the full statement at http://www.brethren.org/news/2020/what-does-the-lord-require-a.html.

Mennonite Church USA

“Amid the recent events surrounding the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, the latest fatal violence against African Americans, Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) joins in mourning and lament. We lament that this is yet another example of the simmering racial injustice that pervades America, and we pray for God’s justice to roll down like a mighty river within our communities.

“This is not a time for Mennonites to be the quiet in the land. We call on our congregations to lament and pray together. More than that, we encourage you to stand in solidarity with communities of color, walk alongside them and, indeed, be led by them. This is especially needed as COVID-19 is unveiling the racial disparities in our systems. …”

Kalamazoo Nonviolent Opponents of War, KNOW

“We, the members of Kalamazoo Nonviolent Opponents of War (KNOW), express our deep sorrow over the tragic death of George Floyd, offer condolences to his family and friends, and condemn the racist police violence that led to his murder. We urge that the police officers involved in this heinous crime be prosecuted and held accountable.

“We also commit ourselves to continue to work to resist the militarization of the police and our society, to restructure the systemic racism built into all of our social institutions, and to advocate for peaceful means to resolve conflicts, large and small.

“As an important first step toward accomplishing these critical goals, we urge that government at all levels begin the process of reallocating economic resources away from military and police budgets toward vital public services (such as education and health care), social supports for strained families and children, economic empowerment programs for workers, and anti-racism initiatives.

“Without social and economic justice for all, there can be no peace. When black, brown, red, and yellow lives matter, then all lives matter. As Martin Luther King, Jr. once argued, “we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a ‘thing-oriented’ society to a ‘person-oriented’ society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.'”

From http://kzoo4peace.org/?p=1405.

Quakers, American Friends Service Committee, AFSC

“On May 25, George Floyd – a Black 46-year-old Minneapolis resident – was murdered by white police officer Derek Chauvin and three other officers, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J Alexander Kueng. Floyd’s murder sparked widespread condemnation and protests across the Twin Cities and across the country. Protesters were met with tear gas and rubber bullets. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has deployed the National Guard. The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) – a Quaker social justice organization – condemned the killing and the police violence.

“‘The brutal murder of George Floyd is the consequence of a racist system that disproportionately targets people of color for violence, imprisonment, and premature death,’ said Shanene Herbert, director of AFSC’s Healing Justice program in Saint Paul. ‘Firing these police officers is not enough. We need resources directed away from the police forces that occupy our communities. We need investment in our young people, in our schools, in our health care, and in transformative forms of justice that address the root causes of harm.'” …