We are heartbroken for the family and friends of George Floyd.
His brutal murder and that of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray and countless others has sparked an explosion of outrage and concern for every Black person across this country. For far too long we have seen the painful evidence of the structural racism that so many confront every day in the United States.
As an organization dedicated to building a just and sustainable future for people, and the planet, we realize that eliminating racial inequities is crucial to creating the kind of future we all seek.
Ceres stands in strong solidarity with the Black community and the peaceful protesters across our nation, and indeed the world, who are challenging systemic racism and inequality. Achieving justice, equality and equity requires hard work, sacrifice, and an understanding of the influence of pervasive white privilege. That is why we are actively reviewing all of our policies and practices and redoubling our efforts to address these issues in our daily work.
We have long seen that the impacts of the climate crisis, water pollution and scarcity, and other environmental harms fall disproportionately on the poor, marginalized, and communities of color. The compounding Covid-19 pandemic has shined a similar light on the deep and long standing fissures of racial inequality that are so searingly evident today and must be urgently addressed.
Systemic racism demands systemic solutions. And they must be based on listening, learning, empathy, solidarity, and action. We hear you, and stand with you.