FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 15, 2020
LCLAA Contact: Andrea Arenas / 202-316-1212
APALA Contact: Michelle Loo / 215-776-0632
Washington D.C.- On February 23 a young black man went out for a routine run in a Georgia neighborhood and was fatally shot, twice on his chest and once on his hand. His name was Ahmaud Arbery and he was only 25 years old. The perpetrators, Greg McMichael and his son Travis McMichael were not arrested until May 7, more than 70 days after the brutal murder.
On March 13 a young black woman who was an EMT and aspiring nurse in Louisville, Kentucky, was shot eight times by police after they barged into her home in the middle of the night. Her name was Breonna Taylor and she was only 26 years old. The police officers made a mistake that cost Breonna her life. Her family is seeking justice for wrongful death, excessive force, and gross negligence.
Once again we are witnessing the perpetuation of systemic violence within our nation’s carceral system. One that deliberately targets black and brown communities. It is especially heartbreaking during the COVID-19 pandemic where black folks, a disproportionate number of whom are our frontline workers, cannot safely go for a run or sleep in their homes. Black people and people of color across the nation are terrorized by racist and discriminatory acts like this every day.
“Unfortunately these nefarious and racially targeted attacks are part of a shameful and continued legacy of racism - which have undoubtedly increased in the past four years,” said Yanira Merino, LCLAA National President. “We stand in support with all those who are demanding a full investigation into Mr. Arbery’s death. Black and brown people cannot continue to live while hate crimes are legally disregarded, and our lives dehumanized.”
“We all have a role in responding to atrocious acts of violence. What true justice for Ahmaud and Breonna looks like, is not limited to carceral systems. As Asian American and Pacific Islander working people, we commit to leveraging our power to dismantle oppressive systems, addressing anti-blackness in the AAPI community, and loving and fighting for our black siblings,” said Alvina Yeh, Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance.
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The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) is the leading national organization for Latino(a) workers and their families. LCLAA was born in 1972 out of the need to educate, organize and mobilize Latinos in the labor movement and has expanded its influence to organize Latinos in an effort to impact workers' rights and their influence in the political process. LCLAA represents the interest of more than 2 million Latino workers in the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), The Change to Win Federation, Independent Unions and all its membership. Visit LCLAA on the web at www.lclaa.org, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO is the first and only national organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers, most of whom are union members, and our allies advancing worker, immigrant and civil rights. Since its founding in 1992, APALA has played a unique role in addressing the workplace issues of AAPI union members and workers and in serving as the bridge between the broader labor movement and the AAPI community. Visit APALAnet.org to learn more or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Friday, May 15, 2020
LCLAA Contact: Andrea Arenas / 202-316-1212
APALA Contact: Michelle Loo / 215-776-0632
Washington D.C.- On February 23 a young black man went out for a routine run in a Georgia neighborhood and was fatally shot, twice on his chest and once on his hand. His name was Ahmaud Arbery and he was only 25 years old. The perpetrators, Greg McMichael and his son Travis McMichael were not arrested until May 7, more than 70 days after the brutal murder.
On March 13 a young black woman who was an EMT and aspiring nurse in Louisville, Kentucky, was shot eight times by police after they barged into her home in the middle of the night. Her name was Breonna Taylor and she was only 26 years old. The police officers made a mistake that cost Breonna her life. Her family is seeking justice for wrongful death, excessive force, and gross negligence.
Once again we are witnessing the perpetuation of systemic violence within our nation’s carceral system. One that deliberately targets black and brown communities. It is especially heartbreaking during the COVID-19 pandemic where black folks, a disproportionate number of whom are our frontline workers, cannot safely go for a run or sleep in their homes. Black people and people of color across the nation are terrorized by racist and discriminatory acts like this every day.
“Unfortunately these nefarious and racially targeted attacks are part of a shameful and continued legacy of racism - which have undoubtedly increased in the past four years,” said Yanira Merino, LCLAA National President. “We stand in support with all those who are demanding a full investigation into Mr. Arbery’s death. Black and brown people cannot continue to live while hate crimes are legally disregarded, and our lives dehumanized.”
“We all have a role in responding to atrocious acts of violence. What true justice for Ahmaud and Breonna looks like, is not limited to carceral systems. As Asian American and Pacific Islander working people, we commit to leveraging our power to dismantle oppressive systems, addressing anti-blackness in the AAPI community, and loving and fighting for our black siblings,” said Alvina Yeh, Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance.
###
The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) is the leading national organization for Latino(a) workers and their families. LCLAA was born in 1972 out of the need to educate, organize and mobilize Latinos in the labor movement and has expanded its influence to organize Latinos in an effort to impact workers' rights and their influence in the political process. LCLAA represents the interest of more than 2 million Latino workers in the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), The Change to Win Federation, Independent Unions and all its membership. Visit LCLAA on the web at www.lclaa.org, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO is the first and only national organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers, most of whom are union members, and our allies advancing worker, immigrant and civil rights. Since its founding in 1992, APALA has played a unique role in addressing the workplace issues of AAPI union members and workers and in serving as the bridge between the broader labor movement and the AAPI community. Visit APALAnet.org to learn more or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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