Innovation HS – Statement on the Death of George Floyd
Innovation High School Statement on the Death of George Floyd
We are deeply saddened and outraged by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the killings of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and Ahmaud Arbery, in South Georgia.
We offer our sincere condolences to their families.
These killings, and the protests taking place locally, nationally, and globally, are having an enormous impact on the Innovation community. They are fear-inducing and maddening. Our community, mostly comprised of Black and Latino families, is directly impacted by police brutality and by inequities in our health and justice systems. Students, parents, and staff alike are angry and frustrated. There is no excuse for the racial violence and social injustice that exist in America today.
At Innovation, we are resolved to respond to these racial and social injustices the same way we approach all things: TOGETHER. That is the Warrior Way.
Although we are angry and frustrated, we will not respond in our anger or frustration. We have renewed our commitment to be agents of change. And we are resolved to examine our own biases, to enable us to better educate our students, and each other.
We are committed to teaching and empowering our students to be stewards in this change. We will be examining how we implement our core values of innovation, collaboration, accountability, activism, respect, and safety throughout our programming so that our young people can look forward to creating and living in a better and more just world.
We are mindful that our efforts must take place as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Despite the challenges in communicating with our students and their families, our Innovation community remains connected. We are hosting a series of online meetings to bring our students, parents, and staff together to create solutions to what ails our community and country.
These past few weeks have been tough. However, after speaking with our staff, students, parents, and alumni, the rage we’ve felt is being replaced by hope and the conviction that we have an opportunity to create racial and social justice in this country. We will prevail because of the unconquerable spirit of our students and the galvanizing and loving force of our staff.
Again, to the families of the most recently slain victims of senseless police brutality:
Breonna Taylor
Ahmaud Arbery
George Floyd
We offer our deepest condolences.
For anyone thinking about participating in a rally or demonstration here are resources concerning your legal rights (NYCLU) and about how to stay safe during a protest (Amnesty USA).
