The National Leadership of CEIU joins the chorus of voices in standing in solidarity with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People Of Colour) at this time when we witness yet another escalation of activism denouncing yet another racist murder by police brutality on a black man in the United States; we are shocked and appalled at the murder of George Floyd by suffocation, in public and despite oppositions from the public and protests from medical professionals. This death is unacceptable.

The murder of George Floyd is one of the most recent and high-profile incidents, it is tragically but one of many similar incidents that underscore the pattern of violence against people of colour, specifically those murdered by police officers, with impunity.

Although much of the incidents and media coverage shows this as being an issue most prevalent in the United States, it is happening in Canada as well. Hate crimes have been on the rise in Canada, and racism, police brutality and murders of black people are happening here too: Jermaine Carby, Andrew Loku, Abdirahman Abdi, René Gallant, to name a few of the lives lost due to police brutality and anti-black racism.

CEIU joins other unions and activists in saying: Enough is enough, and we must step up now to put an end to anti-black racism, racist violence, and police brutality. Here are some things that you can do now to be part of the solution:

• Follow and support the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Educate yourself, identify yourself as anti-racist, and make it clear that you will not tolerate any form of racism, including racist “jokes” and slurs.
• #SayTheirNames. The list is horrifically long. With hundreds of black people murdered by the police on a yearly basis, this statement cannot possibly contain all of them, and this speaks volume. These valuable lives deserve to be named and remembered:

Regis Korchinski-Paquet, D’Andre Campbell, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garnder, Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Walter Scott, Natasha McKenna, Kendrec McDade, Sandra Bland, Bothan Jean, Oscar Grant, Atatiana Jefferson, Kenneth Chamberlain, Samuel DuBose, Laquan McDonald, Freddie Gray, Jamar Clark, Alton Sterling, Stephon Clark

• Some members of the NE will be joining protests across Canada. Members are asked to take precaution if they choose to participate in person, and to self isolate following provincial requirements
• Contact your local political representatives and express your concerns. #NoJusticeNoPeace
• Support and take cues from Black people. If you are white, find ways to cope that don’t involve asking your black friends for support; instead, offer them support or grieve with other white people, and be part of the solution.

In solidarity,

The National Executive of CEIU