Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) mourns the death of George Floyd and condemns the practices of police brutality that historically and currently target Black communities and communities of color.
The murder of George Floyd is the consequence of systematic racism that disproportionately impacts people of color. Structural racism and oppression of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities constitutes a public health crisis, one that overlaps with the epidemics of COVID-19, climate change, and violence. We are called to say the names of those we have lost and assert that enough is enough: #BlackLivesMatter and the murders must end.
Police violence is a public health crisis that is the result of numerous policies and practices that uphold structural racism. The resources below provide concrete recommendations for how to dismantle this inherently inequitable system and build a more just society:
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Movement for Black Lives Webinar: In Defense of Black Lives
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We Can’t Breathe: An Open Letter to Community from Marcus C. Mundy, Executive Director, Coalition of Communities of Color
- American Public Health Association Statement Addressing Law Enforcement Violence as a Public Health issue
Oregon PSR will continue our commitment to work towards equity and social justice, and will increase our participation in the Portland Police Reform Network. We also encourage our members and supporters to follow and support local Black-led groups that we partner with, which include, but aren’t limited to: the NAACP Portland Branch and Springfield/Eugene Branch, Urban League of Portland, Portland African American Leadership Forum, Coalition of Communities of Color, Unite Oregon, and Don’t Shoot PDX.
We also encourage individuals to consider supporting these mutual aid resources which have been vetted by Don’t Shoot PDX.
#AhmaudArbery
#BreonnaTaylor
#TonyMcDade
#GeorgeFloyd
#QuaniceHayes
#MichaelBrown
#EricGarner