Protest is a constitutional right that must be defended and honored—particularly in the face of authoritarian violence

In response to militarized police’s unwarranted and disproportionate violence against protesters this weekend—tear gassing crowds, driving vehicles and riding horses through groups of people, firing shots at protestors and journalists, among countless other instances—Greenpeace Program Director Lindsey Allen said:

“The institutional and historic racism against Black and Brown people in this country is painfully real, especially for those experiencing it daily. It is in moments like these, however, that this violent racism is laid bare for all the world to see. It is impossible not to be outraged and feel deep grief because of the disregard for human life shown by the shockingly regular killing of people of color—especially Black people—by police with impunity. It is impossible to stay silent in the face of this systemic injustice. Raising public and political awareness have their time and place. So does righteous rage and action. 

“Protest has historically served the people of this country to demand justice and equal rights. Protest is often one of the only ways for people to demand change and have their voices heard. Protest is a constitutional right that must be defended and honored—particularly in the face of authoritarian violence.

“We demand action to confront the racism, police violence, and inequality in this country. We are in solidarity with people demanding justice on the streets and calling for accountability following the murderers of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Nina Pop, and the overwhelming number of other Black people killed by white supremacy. We support the Movement for Black Lives policy platform, which includes a future without jails, detention centers, youth facilities, and prisons. We also support the call for accountability by families of the slain, who are demanding that as long as we are forced to have prisons, police officers who murder should be in them.”

“We echo the demands of the Movement for Black Lives: 

  • We call for radical, sustainable solutions that affirm the prosperity of Black lives.
  • We demand acknowledgment and accountability for the devaluation and dehumanization of Black life at the hands of the police.
  • We call for an end to the systemic racism that allows this culture of corruption to go unchecked and our lives to be taken.
  • We call for a national defunding of police. We demand investment in our communities and the resources to ensure Black people not only survive, but thrive.”

For more information, contact Valentina Stackl: [email protected]