02/11/2023
We, the members of the Fossil Free Pitt Coalition, mourn the death of Tyre Nichols and of all others who have died at the hands of police brutality and bigotry in the United States. The harm caused by officers Bean, Haley, Martin, Mills, and Smith is irreparable. We are inspired by and stand together with the radical visionaries of Memphis, Pittsburgh, and beyond, who are fighting tirelessly to overturn the status quo of state violence, and who understand that establishing anti-capitalist systems of nonviolent, transformative justice and community care - starting with the international prison and police abolition movement - are a way forward for racial justice and for the liberation of all people.
It is with some regret that we publish this letter in the midst of mainstream publicity and not on one of the many other days of the year when Black people are shouting out in righteous indignation for solidarity and action. As a group of predominantly white environmentalists, it is important to recognize that although passivity is often a privilege we are afforded and have doubtlessly taken advantage of in the past, it is not acceptable.
We want to make clear what our stance is, and become more active in defending it. We firmly condemn the continuing state oppression and violence against Black people in the United States. We support police and prison abolitionists and believe that safe communities are created through compassion and mutual aid among family, friends, and neighbors. We commit to the inclusion of anti-racist and anti-oppressive values into our coalition’s meetings, initiatives, and actions, as well as our social media platforms. As a coalition dedicated to environmental equity and consequently, equity of all kinds, we are called to remain constant in our vocal support of the struggle towards racial justice.
