Oregon Chapter of the Federal Bar Association Statement on George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Tony McDade
Oregon Chapter of the Federal Bar Association | June 8, 2020
We write today to express our grief and anger over the tragic recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Tony McDade. We are distraught and disturbed by the policies, practices and culture in our criminal justice system that has led to violence, harassment, and threats directed at Black lives and Black communities—especially Black Americans. The recent killings highlight a systemic and ongoing problem. No person should suffer a needless death. Drastic changes are undoubtedly needed in our approach to public safety and justice. One of the first steps is to listen to the voices of the millions who are hurting, grieving, and angry. As recently stated by former President George W. Bush: "We can only see the reality of America's need by seeing it through the eyes of the threatened, oppressed, and disenfranchised." We are here to listen.
As stewards of justice, the members of the Oregon Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (Oregon FBA) are dedicated to the Rule of Law and to equal justice for all. Despite a long series of similar tragedies, we have failed to correct the systemic problems, including the policies, procedures, and cultural norms, which have resulted in disparities in the treatment of those in our underrepresented communities—especially our Black community—by those who serve to protect us. In Mr. Floyd’s, Mr. Arbery’s, Ms. Taylor’s and Mr. McDade’s honor, we pledge to actively confront the systems, policies and procedures, and cultures that have led to unjustified police profiling and brutality.
To that end, the Oregon FBA urges our policy makers and leaders to revisit and redesign the culture of our justice system through policies and procedures that promote anti-racist responses and equal treatment and respect for all. We also support the implementation of mandatory trainings on bias and racism in our justice system and policies and procedures to hold law enforcement personnel accountable for their conduct. We support demilitarization, limits on police use of force, de-escalation strategies and policies, additional training for law enforcement, and fair police union contracts. We support the full and equal access to, and participation by, all individuals in the justice system regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or any other unique attribute. The Oregon FBA recognizes that achieving "equal justice under law" requires the Oregon FBA's continued effort and commitment. We support the lawyers, judges, and other court personnel who work in all parts of the justice system to ensure that the constitutional and human rights of all involved are respected and that equitable justice is achieved.