Our Statement on the Derek Chauvin Verdict
With the announcement of the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties, recognizes that these are exceedingly emotional times for our community. Our thoughts, love, and support go out to the families of George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and all our neighbors who have been traumatized and retraumatized by events that have unfolded in our community and across the country. In accordance with our organizational philosophy and values, we also want to emphasize that our agency unequivocally supports and honors the right of citizens to peacefully gather, express their emotions, voice their opinions, and t address the need to increase equity, promote racial justice, and improve the places and institutions at which we all live and work.
At this time the Community Action Resource Center and all other Community Action sites are open to staff, tenants, and the public so that we can continue to offer critical support to our community. For the foreseeable future we will continue to monitor the situation, communicate with community leaders, and maintain the security patrols in and around our buildings to ensure the safety of staff, tenants, and program participants.
Moreover, we feel it is important to acknowledge that during this difficult time people may be experiencing conflicting powerful emotions including relief and deep mourning. However each of us are feeling, there is support and help available. We have compiled a list of national and local resources specifically related to racialized trauma and resiliency, including tools for: children, parents and families which can be accessed here.
On a final note, Community Action, in solidarity with our neighbors and our national movement, stands with our community to declare that Black Lives Matter, denounce systematic racism and white supremacy in all of its forms, and express our commitment to hope, peace, and healing, while steadfastly partnering with others to work toward justice, transformation and tangible change in our communities.
