We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of George Floyd, and to the larger Minneapolis and St. Paul community. YWCA continues to be outraged by the violence and deaths of people of color in America due to police brutality.

As facts are still coming to light, and federal, state, and local authorities review the case, we believe that the seriousness of the incident requires additional independent oversight by law enforcement at all levels. We request that federal, state, and local authorities conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the events that led to the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, and that we bring those accountable to justice.

YWCA  Pasadena stands together with the people that we serve and our community stakeholders to eliminate racism and empower women. This work and our mission is at the core of what we do, and today we demand justice.

“The killing of George Floyd by Officer Chauvin is an outrageous act that we condemn to the highest degree.  We stand with the family of George Floyd in calling for justice to be meted out against him and the three other officers that stood by watching as Mr. Floyd endured so much suffering,” said Angeline Chen, President, Board of Directors YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley. “We must work toward racial justice. And we must work in partnership with others to hold our elected officials and law enforcement accountable.”

This case is only one in a long line of Black lives taken at the hands of police. As a nation we cannot allow corruption in law enforcement to continue. The violence must stop.  The taking of black lives must stop. The lack of accountability must stop. At YWCA, we demand a world of equity and human decency. We envision a world of opportunity. We commit ourselves to the work of racial justice. We will get up and continue to do the work until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, until the world sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.

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About YWCA Pasadena

YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley acts via a wide range of programs that strive towards the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women and girls in  Pasadena. Learn more and donate to the programs of the YWCA Pasadena at ywca-pasadena.org.