Statement on George Floyd

“The death of George Floyd, who died while in police custody on Monday, is heartbreaking for the Minneapolis community, the African American community and our entire nation. As Dr. King said, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This incident is further proof that racism and implicit bias continue to plague our nation and, as they did on May 25, they rear their heads with devastating results. It has been said before and I will repeat it now, being black in America should not be a death sentence. We, as the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, condemn the actions by those individuals that led to the death of George Floyd.  While our doors may be closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, our voices will not be silent when it comes to injustice.

We must commit ourselves to education, compassion and understanding as we work to end the inherent hatred that is borne from misunderstanding and fear. We must not settle for a nation or a world in which all people are not free. We must use this moment to come together for the cause of inclusive freedom, so that no person will live in fear because of the color of their skin, who they love or who they pray to. We call on our national community to have courage in the face of fear, to come together in a spirit of cooperation as we stand against racists and bigots, to persevere in the face of hatred. Together, we must reaffirm our dedication to inclusive freedom.”

Woodrow Keown, Jr.

President & COO
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center