Fighting for a green and peaceful future includes speaking out against the unjust, racist, and systemic violence facing Black people in the US.
"All Black Lives Matter" banner hanging at the Greenpeace USA headquarters in Washington DC following the conviction of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who killed George Floyd. The banner was painted by local artist Oliver James (@theartistoliverjames). The artist created an African mud cloth pattern as the background with the words "All Black Lives Matter" to lift up the importance that all Black lives- trans, women, dark skinned etc. matter.
In response to the conviction on all three counts of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who killed George Floyd, Greenpeace USA Chief Program Officer Lindsey Allen said:
“The conviction of Derek Chauvin is a rare occurrence in a system that seldom holds those enforcing state-sanctioned violence accountable. While this is a milestone, there is so much more work to be done to dismantle white supremacy and overhaul the systems that allow for racist police and vigilante violence against Black and Brown people in the first place.
“When another police officer murdered Daunte Wright during the Chauvin trial, on April 11, just miles from where Mr. Floyd was killed, the systemic violence against Black people was laid acutely bare. As the trial forced people in Minnesota and around the country to relive George Floyd’s murder during the trial, Daunte Wright’s killing serves as a painful reminder of the daily and systemic threat of police violence on Black and Brown people.
“The verdict falling during the week of Earth Day connects our movements in protest and reminds us that there is no climate justice without racial justice. As an environmental community, we must speak out in the face of white supremacy, systemic injustice, and their fatal consequences. Fighting for a green and peaceful future includes speaking out against the unjust, racist, and systemic violence facing Black people in the US.
“Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and Adam Toledo, and the many others killed at the hands of police.”
Valentina Stackl is a multi-lingual and multi-cultural communications specialist and storyteller. As Senior Communications Officer, Valentina works on Democracy (including criminalization of protest) and Climate for media, storytelling, and other communications projects.
Climate destruction is only possible because our government tolerates racism. By phasing out fossil fuel production and holding polluting corporations accountable, we can fight the climate crisis and improve health for millions of people at the same time.
The fossil fuel industry has a long and problematic history in Louisiana, particularly when it comes to building refineries and petrochemical plants in predominately African American, Indigenous, and minority communities. And now, with the intrusion of even more infrastructure — the Bayou Bridge Pipeline — it feels like another case of "meet the new boss, same as the old boss"... except this construction isn't going down without a real fight.
We Need Your Voice. Join Us!
Want to learn more about tax-deductible giving, donating stock and estate planning?
Visit Greenpeace Fund, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable entity created to increase public awareness and understanding of environmental issues through research, the media and educational programs.
