The violence in this country against black men and women and chilren has continued unabated. Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, did not slow the continued egregious uses of force and the criminal executions of American citizens by people hiding behind a badge. The #BlackLivesMatter movement has had to deal with people on the left and on the right, people down the middle, wondering aloud from time to time if their tactics, protests, are “well timed”, or properly “targeted.” As we have all been reminded in the last few hours, there is no time. Every moment that passes is another tick of the clock on another life unjustly extinguished, another family’s dreams and hopes dashed. The Sierra Club’s executive director Michael Brune made a statement today in support of ending the needless violence against black citizens.
After the police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile this week, our executive director Michael Brune shared this:
"It is impossible to not be outraged by the devastating images of black people being gunned down by police on a shockingly regular basis and it should be impossible to remain silent in the face of this sustained injustice any longer. Sadly, the tragedies that are unfolding before our eyes are just a fraction of the violence that has been happening off camera in our nation for far too long.
The Sierra Club believes all people deserve a healthy planet with clean air and water, a stable climate and safe communities. That means all people deserve equal protection under the law and the right to a life free of discrimination, hatred and violence. Unfortunately, those aspirations and goals are not a reality in our country, and that is why that is why the Sierra Club stands in solidarity with all of those saying #BlackLivesMatter, demanding justice, accountability, and action to confront the racism and inequality that has allowed these tragedies to persist. We can do better and by standing together to work for the changes that are needed, we will.”
We must do better.