We stand in solidarity with the Black community who is yet again subject to pain and suffering at the hands of a racist and unjust system.
We mourn for George Floyd, who was horrifically murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis. There are many marching in the streets across the country and around the world chanting, “I can’t breathe” in tribute to his memory and to demand justice.
We mourn for Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and Rayshard Brooks among countless others whose lives were cut short as a result of systemic racism in policing.
As an organization committed to fighting all forms of hate, ADL knows that these brutal deaths follow an explosion of racist murders and hate crimes across the U.S. Systemic racism, injustice, and inequality call for systemic change.
It is more than just institutions that need to change. During the Civil Rights era, Rabbi Abraham Heschel joined Martin Luther King, Jr. in his Alabama march from Selma to Montgomery. Rabbi Heschel said afterward, “I prayed with my feet.” We as individuals and communities continue their march today.
Join us in combatting the bigotry, racism and discrimination that targets marginalized communities today.
We are Stronger if We Fight Racism Together
It is only by listening, learning and teaching about bias, systemic racism and discrimination, that we will find a path forward. We are stronger if we fight racism together and call out for justice.
Resources:
Support the Passage of H.Res. 988
ADL urges Congress to
condemn all acts of police
brutality, racial profiling, and the
use of excessive and militarized
force throughout the country.
Extremists Weigh in on Nationwide Protests
ADL’s Center on Extremism is
actively monitoring extremist groups’ commentary on — and occasional participation in — the nationwide protests.
Soros Conspiracy Theories and The Protests
As protests continue in response
to the murder of George Floyd by
police in Minneapolis, right-wing
pundits and conspiracy theorists
have alleged that George Soros
has played a role in fomenting the
chaos.
Black Lives Matter: From Hashtag to Movement
Students learn about the history
of Black Lives Matter, analyze the
controversy about using the term
“All lives matter” and express
their point of view through
opinion exercises.
Coalition Letter to LHCCR
ADL added its name with Jewish
groups to call for accountability
and to commit to ending systemic
racism.
Additional Resources
It is only by listening, learning
and teaching about bias, systemic
racism and discrimination, that
we will find a path forward. We are
stronger if we fight racism
together and call out for justice.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? | A Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations Roundtable (June 30, 2020)
Fighting Hate From Home | Fighting Racism as a Multiracial Jewish Community (June 26, 2020)
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ADL’s Center on Extremism is actively monitoring extremist groups’ commentary on — and occasional participation in — the nationwide protests, and has found an abundance of online conspiracy theories blaming George Soros for fomenting the chaos.
Valuing the power of partnerships, ADL joined the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and more than 400 organizations in a sign-on letter, urging Congress to pass meaningful police reform legislation. ADL also added its name to a sign-on letter from the Jewish Council of Public Affairs with a number of Jewish groups to express solidarity with the Black community, call for accountability and reform among law enforcement and commit to ending systemic racism.
ADL also launched #JusticeShabbat as a means of inviting people across faiths and cultures to spend Friday night, or any time over the weekend, as part of a virtual community, to to share awareness of, reflect on and grapple with the protests motivated by George Floyd’s murder, the systemic racism in America, and how to secure a more just and inclusive society.
Additional Resources:
For further discussion and continued learning, ADL has published a number of curricula, lesson plans and education resources on racism, violence, inequity and the criminal justice system.
Additional resources, to be continually updated:
Bryan Stevenson on the Frustration Behind the George Floyd Protests | Isaac Chotiner (The New Yorker)
Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations Calls for an End to Systemic Racism in America
How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion | Peggy McIntosh (TED Talk)
How to stop the pandemic of hatred | Van Jones and David Kamenetzky (CNN)
In America, Black deaths are not a flaw in the system. They are the system. | Derrick Johnson (The Guardian)
The Path to Ending Systemic Racism in the US | Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff, Rashad Robinson, Dr. Bernice King, Anthony D. Romero (Ted Talk)
What we in the Black community need from Jews right now | Anthony Johnson (Forward)
Why Racial Justice is a Jewish Issue | April Baskin (URJ)
Resources for Families
Books Matter | ADL
Teaching about Racism, Violence, Inequity and the Criminal Justice System | ADL
Talking About Race | Smithsonian / National Museum of African American History & Culture