Message From Hillsboro City Council

Press release from the City of Hillsboro:

June 3, 2020

A Message from the Hillsboro City Council

"George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. Mulugeta Seraw. Each of their lives were ended early due to racist violence. Each would be alive today — if they were white.

We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the countless individuals who have been killed due to racism and police brutality.

For more than 400 years, black communities have been terrorized by white supremacy. These killings are only the most recent casualties of racism in America — overt and covert — systemic and cultural.

Equal protection under the law, due process, life and liberty — these were callously denied to George Floyd and remain empty promises for black Americans. White people hold most of the political and economic power in our systems; across generations, people of color have not received the same advantages or outcomes.

Racism is killing black people, whether at the hands of private individuals, through police brutality, or through the denial of political power, access to housing opportunities and services. This is true throughout our history to the present day. This must stop.

Our country is experiencing a tipping point in our conversations on race. The failures of our system are more apparent now than ever. Addressing injustices in our country will be a long journey.

As a City, we are working to develop a stronger consciousness of racism and to operationalize equity in City policies and practices.

To our residents of color, especially our black residents, please know that we see you, we hear you, and we recognize your pain is justified. Black lives matter."

Mayor Steve Callaway
Council President Fred Nachtigal
Councilor Olivia Alcaire
Councilor Kyle Allen
Councilor Anthony Martin
Councilor Beach Pace
Councilor Rick Van Beveren

This press release was produced by the City of Hillsboro. The views expressed are the author's own.