We stand in solidarity with the African-American community as it mourns and expresses its grief at the shocking death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, beneath the knee of a Minneapolis police officer.
This is a painful moment for our country that is shaking us to the core. The anguish, suffering, and pain caused by injustice, racism, and hate reverberate through our country and affect us all. Justice has been denied for too long. In this critical moment, it is important to channel the outrage in a constructive way and refrain from indulging in violence.
Since its inception in 1918, our organization has been at the forefront of the battle for justice and equality. During the civil rights movement, the American Jewish Congress marched alongside representatives of the African-American community and other communities to advocate for civil rights, economic equality, and an end to racism. It is painful to see that, while we have come a long way, some of those basic requests still remain unfulfilled.
We must recommit today to fighting hate, eradicating injustice, and elevating us all into the moral and just society that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity or religion, deserve.
