For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Contact: Bernardita M. Yunis Varas, [email protected], W: 202.339.9377, C: 305.968.7542
Donna De La Cruz, [email protected], 202.339.9331

Community Change Condemns Death of Freddie Gray and Violent Reactions to Protests, Stands with Activists in Calling for a More Just Society

WASHINGTON—Community Change stands in solidarity with the people of Baltimore who are rising up to condemn the killing of Freddie Gray while in police custody.

We contend that the killing of Freddie Gray and countless others of our sisters and our brothers is a consequence of social, legal and economic systems that are rigged and biased against black and brown folks—and the places that they live in America. It is clear that the violence against black and brown folks in our justice system is another emblem of the legacy of violence that is partly (or largely) a result of a rigged economy. Unfortunately in America these systems have been negatively and inextricably linked—for generations. Community Change stands with the people of Baltimore and similar communities all over the country to declare that the current state of these systems is no longer sustainable or acceptable.

Responses from Community Change leadership about the crisis in Baltimore:

Kica Matos, Director of Racial Justice and Immigrant Rights: “The senseless and tragic death of Freddie Gray is yet another stark example of how the lives of black and brown people are in danger when racial bias underlies our legal and justice system. Community Change stands in solidarity with those who are peacefully protesting in Baltimore, demanding racial justice and an end to the brutalization of black and brown lives by police. African American and Latino families should not have to fear law enforcement–all of us deserve police who serve and protect our communities. We will continue to support communities in Baltimore and beyond that are advocating for justice–for Freddie Gray and his family and all young people of color who have been brutalized or died at the hands of law enforcement.”

Deepak Bhargava, Executive Director: “Today, we stand with the people of the city of Baltimore and advocates for justice around the country who are demanding real, lasting changes in our society. We stand with the Gray family, and share their unspeakable grief as well as their righteous anger. The epidemic of racism and injustice that leads to the disregard of black lives must be uprooted completely in order to create a society that grants justice and dignity for all. Too many black and brown people have limited access to jobs and lack access to economic, civil, and legal rights protected under the law. We take this moment of deep sorrow and stand committed to the progressive movements that demand an America that works for all of us. Only by standing together can tragedy be turned into a future where everyone has enough to thrive and achieve their full potential, and all face a justice system that treats all individuals fairly.”

Tomorrow on April 29th, the Center for Community Change and a group of national partners will launch a bold new initiative to bring balance and justice back to our economy and the communities that need it the most. Our blueprint calls the country to a renewed fight for economic justice that generates millions of good paying jobs, for every person in America who is ready to work. Our program is national in scope, but will target massive reinvestments that energize economies and opportunity in black, brown, and high-poverty communities that have been systematically left out of America’s prosperity.

For more information about the launch visit putfamiliesfirst.org.

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