ERA Demands an End to Police Terror
By Noreen Farrell, Executive Director, Equal Rights Advocates
As an organization dedicated to gender, race, and economic justice, Equal Rights Advocates stands in solidarity with the brave activists, community leaders, and youth of color in every state who have taken to the streets to protest vicious police violence. COVID-19, the growing authoritarianism in the U.S., and the relentless violence unleashed on Black communities demand that we, as an organization and as individuals, resist the comfort of saying “This isn’t our fight.” If we say we are for justice, we cannot be comfortable. We choose a side. The side against police brutality. The side against the oppression of Black, brown, and non-binary people.
Equal Rights Advocates demands an end to police terror. We call for racial justice, economic justice, and respect for the civil liberties of the protesters. We will not tolerate a society that divides itself into groups that the law protects but does not bind, and groups the law binds but does not protect. Such a society is fundamentally unjust.
An end of police violence is not enough. We demand an increased investment in Black and brown communities. We will not stand on the sidelines as COVID-19 decimates communities of color already traumatized by centuries of white supremacist exploitation and discrimination. I am proud of the work of Equal Rights Advocates contributing to this community investment, as we also defend workers, families, and students. You can learn more here.
We will not tolerate a society that divides itself into groups that the law protects but does not bind, and groups the law binds but does not protect. Such a society is fundamentally unjust.
Our Deputy Director Delia Coleman said to our staff last week that we all manifest our activism in different ways — direct action, support, building networks, and giving resources. I’m so proud of the members of our team who have been at rallies and vigils, who have been legal observers, who are sharing resources and supporting activists. I’m also sharing the grief and anger of members of the team whose families and friends are in communities directly affected by police brutality. ERA calls on each of you to find your path in this revolutionary movement for justice, and to walk that path daily.
As you support the work of Equal Rights Advocates, we also urge you to care for those in the community who are on the frontlines of the fight to end police terror. Listen, learn, and understand.
Justice demands no less.
