The National Association of Housing Cooperatives condemns the murder of Mr. George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Officers and the continued practice of injustice against people of color
The murder of Mr. Floyd, the delayed arrest of former MPD officer Derek Chauvin, and the further delay of charges and arrests of other officers who participated in the unlawful termination of Mr. Floyd’s life is among an endless list of human rights atrocities that represent the bloody legacy of these United States of America.
Viewed from the Black and brown perspective – when we look back at the history of our nation, we see progress supported by protests. We must protest hatred, bigotry, social and economic inequities, violence, and unjust treatment of all human life. When we look back, we see slavery, Jim Crow, mass incarceration and disenfranchisement. When we look back, we see an economic system that is rarely attainable by those who work so hard to achieve the American Dream. For this reason, we support housing cooperatives as a way to achieve homeownership in a collective fashion. When we look back, there is a sea of Black and brown faces that bear the weight of social trauma and isolation. When we look back, we see red and blue lights in the rearview mirror. Even if they aren’t on, they are boldly illuminated in minds and give us pause. The pause has kept and still keeps millions of Americans from reaching for the dream. If we reach, will the lights come on? Will we be targeted? Will be the next George Floyd? Is it the intended strategy, to cause us to maintain a fixed gaze in the rearview mirror, forever looking back and not forward? We must refuse. We must cautiously take a look behind us as we veer into a new lane. One that is not obstructed and has no hidden pitfalls. We must support each other as we rise.
We, the National Association of Housing Cooperatives, support fair and equitable treatment of all persons, without regard to race, religion, gender, nationality, or any other protected class. We support protest and positive change. We support due process and justice for lost lives at the hands of police officers. We support housing as a basic human right. We support good policing of our communities. We support the abolishment of police brutality. We support rigorous bias training for police officers. We support community.
We call upon the United States Congress and the President to hear and listen to the voices of the People. We are the People.
The National Association of Housing Cooperatives proudly represents 8 regional member associations with more than 1,200 cooperatives, more than 145,000 cooperative households and 70 professional and individual members throughout the United States.
