SEATTLE, WA – Across the country, protesters have taken to the streets to demand justice for the murders of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, and countless others. In response, President Trump called demonstrators in Minneapolis “THUGS” and called for violence, quoting racist Miami Police Chief Walter Headley by tweeting, “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” 

Alliance for Gun Responsibility CEO Renée Hopkins issued the following statement: 

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the senseless murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and thousands of other Black men and women whose lives have been stolen. We applaud the arrest in George Floyd’s case. But justice is far from served. 

This week we have been bombarded with reminders that our systems of justice are built on white supremacy and set up to wield violence against Black Americans. Instead of working to reform our unjust systems, the president has fanned the flames.

The president’s blatant racism was made crystal clear in the difference between his response to Black protesters in Minnesota and armed White protesters in Michigan. He called those demanding justice in the murder of George Floyd ‘thugs’ and suggested they should be shot. By comparison, he claimed the armed protesters threatening Michigan Governor Whitmer were ‘good people’ who deserve a deal.

Racism and glorification of violence like that is appalling and unacceptable from anyone, especially the president of the United States. But the even greater problem is that these statements are not just throw-away remarks from a hateful and prejudiced president, they are clear illustrations of the way in which our country grants incredible leeway for White people while exploiting and oppressing Black people. 

There is so much work to be done to root out the racism, white supremacy,  injustice, and violence that our country was built on. As a White woman and the head of an organization working in a movement that has too often centered White voices, it is incumbent upon me to acknowledge my privilege and responsibility to work to dismantle white supremacy to make space for a better, equitable society. All of us—but White Americans in particular—must be committed to this fight for justice. Justice is not just unless it applies to all—until each of us is free to breathe and sleep and run and live safe from the threat of violence.”

We encourage those looking to take action to refer to this list of actions white people can take for racial justice and join us in electing candidates committed to racial justice and gun violence prevention. 

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