We at Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute lament and denounce the murder of George Floyd due to police brutality in Minneapolis, MN on May 25, 2020. We mourn the loss of his life and celebrate the unique place that he held in the fabric of our South Minneapolis neighborhoods. We acknowledge that George Floyd's death is a symptom of a society that has privileged the lives of White people over others. We recognize and condemn the role that white supremacy and racism play in the perpetuation of violence directed at Black individuals. All of this has led to individual and collective psychological trauma that cries for healing. Together, we must transform this trauma into nonviolent power for just systems change.
As a community in mourning, we must practice truth-telling for justice so peace does not elude us. As we demand change and work to transform our communities, we will navigate these difficulties with mercy and active compassion.
We believe this is a time to demand change in structural systems and to promote peacebuilding in our neighborhoods, in greater Minnesota, across the country, and around the globe. We must implore our leaders who have hearts of stone to turn their hearts to flesh. We also respect the fact that we as individuals must take actions to dismantle white supremacy and create an environment that protects, supports, and uplifts Black members of our communities.
We reject racism in all overt and covert manifestations. We are creating healthy power in our communities by building peace. As Coretta Scott King said, “Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.” We invite you to join us at Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute as we transform Minnesota into the peacebuilding power state for all.
Amanda Allen, Board Secretary
Earnest Belton, Board Director
Bruce Brunner, Board Treasurer
Nathan Jeide-Detweiler, Board Director
Sarah King, Board Director
Emily Myers Hunt, Board Chair
Gemma Eissa, Communications Coordinator
Donna Minter, Founder and Executive Director
Crixell Shell, Assistant Executive Director
As a community in mourning, we must practice truth-telling for justice so peace does not elude us. As we demand change and work to transform our communities, we will navigate these difficulties with mercy and active compassion.
We believe this is a time to demand change in structural systems and to promote peacebuilding in our neighborhoods, in greater Minnesota, across the country, and around the globe. We must implore our leaders who have hearts of stone to turn their hearts to flesh. We also respect the fact that we as individuals must take actions to dismantle white supremacy and create an environment that protects, supports, and uplifts Black members of our communities.
We reject racism in all overt and covert manifestations. We are creating healthy power in our communities by building peace. As Coretta Scott King said, “Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.” We invite you to join us at Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute as we transform Minnesota into the peacebuilding power state for all.
Amanda Allen, Board Secretary
Earnest Belton, Board Director
Bruce Brunner, Board Treasurer
Nathan Jeide-Detweiler, Board Director
Sarah King, Board Director
Emily Myers Hunt, Board Chair
Gemma Eissa, Communications Coordinator
Donna Minter, Founder and Executive Director
Crixell Shell, Assistant Executive Director
RSS Feed