This weekend we were devastated by the news of a gunman who deliberately sought outand killed 10 Black people shopping for themselves and their families at their local market. As public employees in Colorado, where a similar incident in a grocery store just recently happened, we will not stand for this.
Politicians and media figures spew hate-fueled beliefs, demonizing Black people and deeming them “other” to keep their base engaged and enraged, resulting in deadly consequences.
These same beliefs fueled attackers to unleash violence and destruction in our Capitol on January 6th in the name of a man unwilling to concede the loss of the presidency, and a desire to overturn the will of the people to remain in power. These beliefs have also led other well-armed white men to murder innocent Black people at church, Latino immigrants out shopping, and Jewish congregants at synagogue.
Each and every leader who has sworn an oath to uphold the doctrines of our democracy and our Constitution must immediately denounce white-supremacy in all its forms, along with those who peddle destructive ideologies. We cannot afford to normalize genocidal viewpoints – whether news, op-eds, or entertainment – that further harm and kill our fellow Americans.
Colorado WINS will continue to fight white supremacy in all its forms, and work to elect leaders who promote equity and social justice for all–whether Black, white, or Brown. As we mourn those lost in Buffalo, we renew our demands to make our communities a safe place where we can live happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives, safe from violence, threats, and harm. We ask that you join us to ensure there are no exceptions.
White supremacy is baked into our political and economic systems. It’s why the Jim Crow filibuster is allowed to stand in the way of common-sense gun laws and anti-gerrymandering laws. It’s why cities like Buffalo remain deeply segregated.
When we join together to fight back against hate-filled, harmful beliefs, we can begin to build communities where our children can thrive in safe schools, and everyone–regardless of the color of their skin–has access to quality, affordable housing and healthcare, and can shop for their families in peace.
We recommend donating to the following grassroots and community-based organization to ensure their continued efforts succeed in keeping people safe and healthy.:
