April 20, 2021 – Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was just convicted of the 2020 murder of George Floyd. Today proved that the blatant disregard of Black lives and people of color will no longer be tolerated.

We know that communities of color experience disproportionately high rates of unnecessary and excessive force by law enforcement. Racial profiling and the overall criminalization of communities of color reinforce dangerous police practices with lethal consequences for those targeted. We urge all to join our call for immediate Congressional action to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act as a first step toward ending the use of racial profiling and excessive force by police and ensuring police accountability. Contact your Senators at 202-499-6085. Our hearts and prayers remain with the family of George Floyd as they continue to grieve the loss of their father, husband, brother, and friend, and to all those who have suffered the loss of their loved ones as a result of police violence.  

At YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, we are unwavering in our commitment to justice. We do this work because we demand a world of equity and human decency, in which women, girls, and people of color can live healthy, safe, full lives with dignity. We will get up and do the work until injustice is rooted out and institutions are transformed – until justice, just is.