Rosa Pavinelli, the General Secretary of Public Services International (PSI) penned this letter on behalf of PSI-affiliated organisations regarding the murder of George Floyd in the United States.
Public service workers and our unions from across the world send our heartfelt solidarity to our comrades in the United States of America who are facing a time of turmoil sparked by the recent murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police and fanned by racist and provocative leadership from President Trump
Over half a century ago, the murder of another black man sparked national outrage. Martin Luther King had come to Memphis to take part in a strike for the rights of low-paid public service workers.
In his last public address, King said “let us keep the issues where they are. The issue is injustice.”
It is tragic to see that the same injustice, hatred and bigotry that killed King still infects so many levels of institutional power in the United States today.
The intersection between racial injustice and economic injustice is clear: there can be no peace while institutional racism is allowed to thrive.
There can be no peace while working people are deprived of the fruits of the labour.
From the poisoned waters of Flint to the homes of over 25 million Americans who do not have health insurance, what’s clear is that addressing racial and economic inequality requires bold and radical change.
Our global movement draws its strength from its diversity. We stand against all forms of racism, oppression, and xenophobia wherever they rear their ugly head.
We congratulate the United States union movement for their forthright and fierce criticism of this latest murder and for holding your president to account for his reckless and irresponsible response.
We stand with People of Colour whose socio-economic status is exacerbating their exposure to the Covid-19 crisis.
We stand for the rights of all workers to a workplace free of racism and hate-based violence.
We stand with the Black Lives Matter movement and with all minorities who are resisting racist oppression.
On behalf of all our affiliated unions around the world, we thank you for your leadership on this issue and stand ready to assist you in the fight to end systemic racism in any way we can. As King said, “we’ve got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end.”
Systemic racism against indigenous people and communities also exist in Australia. Here are some ways you can assist with addressing these inequalities:
- Donate to families who have lost loved ones to deaths in custody including Justice for David Dungay Junior, Justice for Yuendumu: Inquiry into Police Violence, Justice for Joyce Clarke, and Day Family Fundraiser.
- Back in campaigns to stop black deaths in custody, including supporting your local Aboriginal Legal Service,National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, Change the Record and Deadly Connections, an organisation working with First Nations people, families and communities who’ve been impacted by criminal justice and child protection systems. A growing list of First Nations-led organisations to support is available here.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association is proudly affiliated with Public Services International.