WASHINGTON - August 24, 2020 - National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen García and Wisconsin Education Association Council President Ron Martin today issued the following joint statement about the shooting of Jacob Blake by the Kenosha, Wisconsin police.
“Jacob Blake’s children watched in shock as Kenosha police shot their father seven times in the back. While we pray for Jacob, his family, and his doctors as their collective efforts will define his healing, our nation’s healing will take a different type of collective effort.
“The trauma experienced by Jacob Blake’s children reverberates around the country today as our communities and students have witnessed more incidents of police violence against Black men and women this summer despite continued strong calls for police reform and justice. The violence against Black people and the resistance to needed change are direct results of white supremacy culture in policing and in our society.
“Black children and their families across the country are literally bearing the brunt of the callous decisions of lawmakers and leaders who have failed to rein in violent police practices in our communities, resource our schools and value our families’ health and well-being.
“The Black Lives Matter protests that have defined this summer calling for accountability and justice through their organizing have united so many of us to continue the work to ensure all communities, including Black and Brown communities, can realize the promise of our nation’s founding ideals—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
“The systemic racism in policing, health-care, education and across our economic systems is our national emergency. We join with our educators, students, families and communities in calling for accountability, justice and policy change. We call on policymakers to meet our collective calls for justice with the urgency they deserve.”
Find Justice for Black Lives resources for educators and parents curated by the NEA Center for Social Justice here.
Read the NEA Demands for Justice for Black Lives.
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About the National Education Association: The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.
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