AGCC PRESS RELEASE GEORGE FLOYD MURDER
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Tacarra Birmingham
Phone: 312-684-4412
Email: info@africangcc.org
Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) condemns the “murder” of an unarmed black man George Floyd and call for ending police brutality and racial inequities
Chicago, Illinois – (Saturday, June 06, 2020) – Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGC) leadership and staff present sincere heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of R.I.P George Floyd. We are shocked and troubled by the widespread acts of racist attacks and murders committed against all Black people. A white police officer surrounded by his three colleagues took the life of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in 9 minutes of “I CAN’T BREATHE.” Communities, not just Black, are outraged, fatigued, perplexed, exasperated, and yes, TIRED of being “sick and tired” over police officers (whites specifically) murdering Black people in broad daylight with impunity. All communities call justice for George Floyd and demand the United States Society to end POLICE BRUTALITY and the RACIAL INEQUITIES: economic fairness, economic justice, economic inclusion, social justice, and all forms of racism.
Olivier Kamanzi, Chairman of Boards AGCC and African Diaspora Sixth Region Association of Illinois, says: “I call more justice for George Floyd and all Black people, his savage murder by the white police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota demonstrates that the historical racial injustice and white supremacist behaviors are still real and prevailing in America. How many blacks more must be murdered for America to wake up and stop racial injustice and racism that most of the time lead to incarceration and murder of innocent blacks? Yesterday, it was Ahmaud Arbery, Tamir Rice, Kevin Matthews, Keith Childress, Amadou Diallo, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Laquan McDonald, and today is George Floyd. Who is next? Are we going to wait for other victims? The response is NO. Police Officers must protect people and not murder them. America needs economic and social CHANGE: implementation of new policies and constitution that protect and empower all Blacks and People of Colors”.
“We need to leverage this tragic incident to galvanize the support needed to implement long lasting legal reforms that can end systemic racism. I hope that our youth will not lose focus after a few weeks and that they will continue to push for change”, said, Tammie Krauskopf, Member of Board AGCC and Trade Lawyer
“In times like this we have to ask ourselves what kind of world we want to live in? A world where we allow the atrocities committed by authority to be ignored and excused or a world where we strive to embody the principles on which our country was founded – true equality for all? It will never be perfect but if we commit to standing up for what is right, to not remain silent, we can create a world in which our children can prosper … a world where all children regardless of race, sex or religion can prosper… a world of which we can be proud”, stressed, Amber Johns, Vice-Chair of Board AGCC and International Corporate and Compliance Attorney.
Demitrus Evans, Secretary of Board AGCC, International Business Lawyer, and Founder of The TEEP Project for the innocently incarcerated, says, “The murder of Mr. Floyd and other black men and women at the hands of racist police is just a reminder of the relics of slavery for me. For 400 years, slave ships sailed with black people dying in mass and considered products. Mistreatment is an understatement for what black people all over the globe (and probably in space if it’s figured out) have had to and continues to endure at the hands of an oppressive system. No, it’s not any of the particular cops or police forces and other outlandish forces responsible for the current black plight. They have watched us kill each other, and they are not convinced that Black Lives Matter. It’s the current system this at fault, a system where everyone has learned how to treat black people with mistrust. We have even learned not to trust each other or ourselves. The Youth at this point in history has it correct, the Black Lives Matter platform is well thought out, and it begins with a defund and dismantle of the current police tactics, full training, and complete accountability. The sleep must awake. We must all speak out for change. Movements like this are relatively rare, but so is a pandemic. I’m ready for our revolution! Let the change begin..”
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About Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) is a Chicago-based tax-exempt not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote trade, investment, educational exposures, and cultural exchanges globally for Africa’s economic interest and its partners starting from the United States of America. Locally, AGCC strives to serve businesses and professionals seeking business opportunities, while also, facilitating mutual commerce between US and Africa.