As protestors gather across the world in the name of George Floyd and the international systemic racism his murder represents, Woodrow Keown, Jr., president and COO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, has taken an opportunity to make a statement.
Keown Jr. explains the crucial importance for this museum within the community, and explains the significance of these protests and their necessity.
“The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a beacon of hope in this ongoing struggle for inclusive freedom. We are advocates of equity and justice. And we stand in support of those locally and nationally peacefully protesting for constructive change. For too long, those oppressed by systemic racism, hatred and ignorance have suffered the inherent fear and indignity in silence or isolation,” he says in a release.
“Now, multicultural and multigenerational groups of concerned people are again advocating to progress the case of inclusive freedom in the only way loud enough for their voices to be heard over centuries of being silenced, ignored and diminished. Protest has historically proven to be the best means of communication for the oppressed, and we hope the nation hears, loud and clear, their calls for change, peace, equity and justice.”
In his statement, he recognizes the words and guidance from Martin Luther King Jr., urging protestors to show their support peacefully. “We know that violence only begets violence and that only love and peace can drive out hate. We urge those who are demonstrating in support of freedom from fear and for equitable change to do so peacefully, so that we can lead by example and show that we are that change we so desperately need.”
The statement comes after nearly a week’s worth of protests, marches and demonstrations in honor of Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer named Derek Chauvin on May 25, and similar killings by police.
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This article appears in May 6 – Jun 14, 2020.