System Message:

Australian Immigration Daily News

Breaking Australian immigration news brought to you by Migration Alliance and associated bloggers. Please email help@migrationalliance.com.au

  • Home
    Home This is where you can find all the blog posts throughout the site.
  • Categories
    Categories Displays a list of categories from this blog.
  • Tags
    Tags Displays a list of tags that have been used in the blog.
  • Bloggers
    Bloggers Search for your favorite blogger from this site.
  • Team Blogs
    Team Blogs Find your favorite team blogs here.
  • Login
    Login Login form
Posted by on in General
  • Font size: Larger Smaller
  • Hits: 1823
  • 0 Comments

I CAN'T BREATHE: Sign the public open letter against racism and police brutality

Dear friends,

These are the last words of George Floyd, a 46-year-old man who died as a US police officer pinned him down, kneeling on his neck for seven minutes, until he suffocated:

"It's my face man
I didn't do nothing serious man
please
please
please I can't breathe
please man
please somebody
please man
I can't breathe
I can't breathe
please
(inaudible)
man can't breathe, my face
just get up
I can't breathe
please (inaudible)
I can't breathe sh*t
I will
I can't move
mama
mama
I can't
my knee
my nuts
I'm through
I'm through
I'm claustrophobic
my stomach hurt
my neck hurts
everything hurts
some water or something
please
please
I can't breathe officer
don't kill me
they gon' kill me man
come on man
I cannot breathe
I cannot breathe
they gon' kill me
they gon kill me
I can't breathe
I can't breathe
please sir
please
please
please I can't breathe"

Then his eyes shut and the pleas stop. George Floyd was pronounced dead shortly after.

Right now, we have a choice. This can just be one more tragic death at the hands of US police -- or the moment for change.

We are a movement of more than 60 million people -- when we all speak up, we are deafening. So let's raise our voices to join everyone calling for an end to these racist killings, and push those in power to do the same.

Sign this open letter with one click, and when it's massive, Avaaz will publish it in major US newspapers and websites around the world. Let it be an anthem to end the killing and honour all those we've already lost.

As people of the world, we grieve the senseless loss of another life at the hands of US police.

We stand in community with everyone who is hurting.

These brutal killings must end. Each is a wound to the heart of our humanity and a shameful, indelible mark on that great flag of the United States of America.

Racism thrives in the company of silence -- so we will not stay quiet. Racism is a problem that belongs to us all. It is our fight.

But we will not allow that fight to become hatred, for then we are no wiser than those whose hearts we seek to change. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

It is in this spirit that we call on all those in power to act NOW, and hold President Trump and US state and local governments accountable to:

  • Ensure all officers involved in the killing of George Floyd face legal due process,
  • Expel and prosecute officers for even one instance of excessive force or the failure to prevent it,
  • Ensure every police killing is independently and transparently investigated.

We pledge to do our part, meeting the fear, anger, and ignorance of racism with all the hope, love, and strength of our humanity.

Rest in Power, George Floyd.
It will not be in vain.

With endless hope,

Mike, Marie, Meetali, Sarah, Andrew, Ricken, Bert and the whole team at Avaaz.

More information:

Of Course There Are Protests. The State Is Failing Black People. (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/opinion/george-floyd-minneapolis.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

George Floyd killing: sister says officers should face murder charge as protests grow (The Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/27/george-floyd-sister-police-officers-should-be-charged-with-murder



Avaaz is a 60-million-person global campaign network
 that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on FacebookTwitter, or Instagram.


You became a member of the Avaaz movement and started receiving these emails on 2020-05-31 using the email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to your address book. To change your email address, language settings, or other personal information, contact us

Sign here

I-cant-breathe-2.JPG

Last modified on
Rate this blog entry:
2

Comments

  • No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment

Leave your comment

Guest Tuesday, 19 March 2024
Joomla SEF URLs by Artio

Immigration blog

Bizcover Banner
Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Regulations 2024
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Mul...
Continue Reading...
Migration Amendment (Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Visa) Regulations 2024
The Australian government has announced the introd...
Continue Reading...
Migration Amendment (Subclass 500 Visas) Regulations 2024
Exciting update for international students and fut...
Continue Reading...
Migration (Institutions and Disciplines for Subclass 476) (LIN 24/015)
Exciting update from the office of the Minister fo...
Continue Reading...