None of Us Is Free Until All of Us Are Free
By Dr Salam Al-Marayati
We have seen the video and were deeply disturbed and horrified by the callous actions of the police officer holding Mr Floyd down by his neck and ultimately causing his asphyxiation, despite Mr Floyd repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe”.
We have seen the bystanders nearby witnessing Mr Floyd’s suffering, pleading with the police officer to release him, to no avail. We recognize the pain and anguish of the African American community that has endured this kind of treatment at the hands of police for far too long. We have also seen that the mistreatment of Black people by police rarely ends with any repercussions whatsoever for the officers inflicting harm, and in too many cases, including this one, murder.
We understand that police brutality has left Black Americans carrying a heavy weight of fear - for themselves, their spouses, children, families, friends and neighborhoods. We know that this terrible incident has triggered emotions from sadness to rage, and that those feelings have resulted in protests, some peaceful and some not, that deserve our compassion and understanding, and not our disbelieving condemnation. In the words of Rep. Ilhan Omar, who represents the congressional district that includes Minneapolis, "To watch our city burn really is one of the most devastating things that has happened to us. It's also devastating to know the anger and the frustration that people feel.”
Her perspective was echoed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who said, “Our state watched George Floyd’s humanity get erased. Our feelings of anger, anguish, and disillusionment are justified.” The Major Cities Chief Association, comprising chiefs of police from Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, and other major cities, condemned the murder of George Floyd. In the story quoting various police chiefs from around the country, there is a major shift in sentiment within law enforcement that is breaking the code of silence.
Achieving peace requires justice, and we support the letter from Rep. Ilhan Omar and other members of Congress from Minnesota to US Attorney Erica MacDonald and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, calling for thorough investigations and accountability at the local, state, and federal levels for George Floyd’s death. We will also advocate in the partnerships we are building with law enforcement, because they are built on a fragile foundation if other officers do not condemn these actions.
We ask that you get involved:
1. Call the Minnesota District Attorney's Office to file an indictment against the officer who killed George Floyd
2. Contact your House of Representatives Member to demand the US Attorney to prosecute officers involved in the murder of George Floyd
3. Support these organizations doing work toward racial justice and equality: Intellect, Love and Mercy Foundation, Muslim Ant-Racism Collaborative (MuslimARC), Minnesota Freedom Fund, and Black Vision Collective, and Reclaim The Block.
4. Make a donation to the official GoFundMe for George Floyd’s family.
This statement is undersigned by the following organizations:
Muslim Public Affairs Council
Intellect Love Mercy Foundation
ISLAH LA
LA Voice
Project Islamic Hope
Word of Encouragement Church
Our commitment to address racial and socioeconomic inequality is stronger than ever. Because none of us is free until all of us are free.
