We are outraged by the most recent wave of police killings of Black Americans, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Sean Reed, and Jamel Floyd, as well as the lynching of Ahmaud Arbery. We recognize these killings for what they are: the most violent and abhorrent manifestations of the systemic racism, hatred and injustice that corrupts our society.

Black lives matter. ECBAWM unequivocally supports and stands in solidarity with every person who continues to bear the brunt of our society’s brutality because of the color of their skin and those who righteously demand equality and the right to be unimpeded in their inherent human right to live freely and without fear. We are listening to our fellow New Yorkers’ calls for self-reflection, mobilization, and immediate action to end police violence. We renew our commitment to the fight to hold police officers, correctional officers, employers, landlords, and others in positions of authority accountable for the injustices perpetrated on the Black community and the intersectional communities within it, as well as other communities of color. We recognize that it is not enough to just condemn racism and that no one group or movement is enough to transform the racist reality in which we live: but we need to act. In response, we will redouble our efforts to advocate for justice and systemic change for the benefit of these communities and our society as a whole.

Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP