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Dismantle racism at every level

The Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience (FLLC) of Eastern Washington and North Idaho mourn with George Floyd’s family and community. We strongly condemn this police-killing of another Black man.

We are mindful that racism has poisoned our nation since its inception. We must make systemic changes. These changes must come from the inside: inside ourselves, inside our work, and inside our government.

Attorneys, bankers, doctors, educators, journalists, laborers, lawyers, nurses, ministers, musicians, students, teachers, and all others must look within their training, policies, culture, and recruiting and dismantle all systemically racist structures from the inside.

Unions and guilds must hold members to high professional standards to protect the profession and dismantle all racist structures within. When the protection afforded by a union or guild is the reason an unfit employee is allowed to continue in their role, the entire profession is damaged. Step up. Become part of the dismantling of the racist structures!

All citizens must speak up in letters, emails, and by voting. We join with the NAACP to demand that the federal government provide funds to improve election administration and upgrade voting systems to comply with CDC standards regarding COVID-19. We recognize that voter suppression is real, especially suppression of Black voters. This must end.

This is hard work that cannot be accomplished with rallies alone. We must keep moving forward, changing ourselves, our work places, and our nation.

Rev. Gen Heywood

Spokane Valley



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