At NYCP, we join our city, the nation, and the world in sorrow and outrage over the killing of George Floyd. George Floyd was a brother, son, father, friend, coworker, and one of a too-long list of people of color across our country killed at the hands of a police officer. Police brutality is one of the most extreme and violent indignities that our communities and those we serve face. When compounded by poverty, limited or no access to healthy food and quality health care, institutionalized racism, and inequity in education, the challenges for many of those who come to us are overwhelming.
This systemic failure has led to massive disparities in access to resources and has resulted in negative impacts on health, education, and development, often spreading over generations. NYCP’s anti-poverty and anti-hunger work is fueled by a desire to ameliorate these issues, and to help those we serve on the road to social and economic justice—but it is clear we have a long way to go.
Our city, and indeed our nation, is at a crossroads.
We are hopeful that the current growing and widespread consciousness and activism leads to lasting reforms, training, improved recruitment and accountability. Gianna Floyd, George’s six-year old daughter, through her grief, said “Daddy changed the world.” We hope so, but it won’t change unless we all do our part. We believe in the power we all have to support, and work towards, this change.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” We stand with, and alongside, the men and women, who at this turning point in our history, seek long-lasting change and social justice for all.