To the University of Colorado students, faculty, staff, administration, police department听and supporters:
There are no words that can fully capture the truly devastating, enraging听and evil acts committed by members of the Minneapolis Police Department. The murder of George Floyd has yet again highlighted how the American justice system is flawed from the ground up. As a society, we can no longer allow yet another unjust murder to be listed as a statistic. George Floyd is a human being whose life was stolen by a person with characteristics that are too commonly seen in our country. As leaders of the University of Colorado Student Government, we condemn all those who abide by any form of oppressive policy that invokes a cyclical or momentary form of racism and hate.
As student leaders of the largest university in the state of Colorado, we need to set a precedent of progressive action that will ripple through all other universities and organizations across the state.
We are working to implement a progressive and viable solution with the new leadership in both CUPD and Boulder PD that both addresses and eradicates any听presence of bias and racist practices within these departments. Additionally, we have received feedback from several students and student organizations on campus. We are taking this feedback into consideration throughout our conversations with other areas on campus and within Boulder.
We are implementing training, lessons, and conducting an internal audit in order to ensure that any representative of CU Student Government and the entities attached will be properly vetted and informed to best spread awareness and spark action against racial inequity.
We do not stand with any person who contributes to systemic oppression. We will stand by those who contribute to an anti-racist culture and progression here at CU and across the nation.
Black Lives Matter.
We do not condone any alternate form of protest intended to direct the root cause of racism toward a diluted and counteractive protest such as 鈥渁ll lives matter.鈥�
We denounce the production and purchase of common goods and furniture provided by the prison industrial complex and plan to work towards a solution addressing the occurrence of these items on campus.
We strive to create and foster a community here at CU that prides itself on not only being non-racist but anti-racist. A community where the people are heard and consistent action is taken to ensure the safety and equity of all members.
The University of Colorado Boulder Student Government stands in solidarity with听Black students. The university is intended to be a safe environment in which students grow, learn and discover. Fear, hatred, and racism are not, nor will they ever be, tolerated to any extent on our campus. If, as students and community members, you feel that you have been a victim of any of these things or fear becoming a victim, we stand as allies and welcome you with the opportunity to address these concerns.
To those who are protesting:
Keep protesting. Keep fighting for what is right. We must plot, plan, strategize, organize, and mobilize. This is how long-term change is implemented. Peace is how we will win.
Amalia Frommelt
Student Body President
Isaiah Chavous
Student Body President
George Conway
Student Body President
