Say their names:
Philando Castile.
Alton Sterling.
Essence Bowman.
Dylan Noble.
Delrawn Small.
Stephanie Hicks.
These are some of the most recent victims of police violence in the United States, whose lives were brutally and tragically cut short. They were parents, friends, spouses, siblings, sons and daughters. They had homes, jobs, hobbies, plans and dreams. They were human and their lives mattered. Say their names.
Across the country, Black people are 3 times more likely to be killed by police than White people. In 2015, 346 Black people were killed by the police. Since the beginning of this year, 187 Black people have been killed by the police.
That is roughly one person every single day.
As students who believe in justice- from our own neighborhoods to Palestine- we cannot let this continue.
Over the years, our Black brothers and sisters have faced horrific oppression, discrimination and structural violence. They have repeatedly been told that their lives did not matter. In spite of this, they have survived and resisted with amazing courage, steadfastness, resilience and grace.
As members of SJP at ASU, we recognize their struggle for justice and affirm that Black lives, all Black lives, matter.
We extend our full, unwavering love and support to our Black brothers and sisters and stand in solidarity with them.
We support them not just because they have always supported us, not just because the freedoms of all oppressed people are inextricably connected, and not just because we care about social justice.
We support them because they matter.
Say their names.
(Statistics mentioned are from http://mappingpoliceviolence.org/ and are current as of July 12th, 2016)
Learn more about recent events, Black Lives Matter, and how you can help:
http://www.alternet.org/we-want-safety-dignity-and-justice-black-lives-matter-protests-build-nationwide
http://www.colorlines.com/articles/diamond-reynolds-i-dont-want-keep-reliving-moment
http://www.browntourage.com/magazine/oakland-stands-with-ferguson-some-resources/
https://www.raceforward.org/videos/systemic-racism
http://www.epi.org/publication/making-ferguson/
http://mappingpoliceviolence.org/
Learn about Black and Palestinian solidarity:
http://www.blackforpalestine.com/read-the-statement.html
http://972mag.com/watch-lauryn-hill-angela-davis-call-for-black-palestinian-solidarity/112800/
https://electronicintifada.net/content/how-sun-palestine-reached-black-panther-jail/15069
http://www.democracynow.org/2016/3/28/freedom_is_a_constant_struggle_angela
https://mic.com/articles/105116/palestinian-activists-are-sharing-messages-from-palestine-2ferguson#.0bipxKCMu
http://www.ebony.com/news-views/angela-davis-rasmea-odeh-connecting-palestine-prisons-police-495
https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/palestinians-salute-black-solidarity-call-joint-struggle
https://electronicintifada.net/content/palestinian-liberation-key-matter-our-time-say-black-leaders/14783
