The Ardenwald Johnson Creek Neighborhood Association submitted a statement of support for Black Lives Matter to the Milwaukie City Council.
To: Milwaukie Mayor Mark Gamba, Councilor Angel Falconer, Councilor Lisa Batey, Councilor Wilda Parks, Councilor Kathy Hyzy, City Manager Ann Ober, Assistant City Manager Kelly Brooks
From: Ardenwald-Johnson Creek Neighborhood Association June 22nd, 2020
Re: Statement of Support for Black LivesDear Milwaukie City Leaders:
Our nation is in mourning over the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless more known and unknown people of color that have been murdered and continue to be murdered in acts of police brutality and racially motivated attacks. We acknowledge that these murders are an outcome of the systemic racism inherent in every aspect of our lives including our policing and governing systems. As a neighborhood association, we are called to reflect on our own prejudice and privilege and dedicate ourselves to learning and acting to form a safe, inclusive, and welcoming neighborhood for Black people and all neighbors belonging to marginalized communities.
In a time when silence speaks volumes, we call on our city leaders to denounce racism, white supremacy, and the current societal norms that allow them to perpetuate. We challenge our city to be leaders in seeking out and collaborating with community leaders and advocates of color and to amplify Black voices. We challenge our city to acknowledge and learn from the shameful parts of our city and state’s history and to move our community towards a future that we can all be proud of.
To our city leaders and to our neighbors, Ardenwald-Johnson Creek Neighborhood District Association states without reservation or condition that Black Lives Matter.
In solidarity,
The Ardenwald-Johnson Creek Neighborhood District Association
Matthew Rinker, Chair
Jeff Davis, Vice Chair
Erin Jansen, Secretary
Travis Tomlinson, Treasurer