We Are Our Brother’s Keeper
June 2, 2020
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 888 President Max Bruny released the following statement on behalf of its union members in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota:
First and foremost, we would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Local 888 stands in solidarity and joins the thousands who are angry, frustrated and outraged by the senseless murders at the hands of those who have sworn to ‘serve and protect’ us. Our union stands on the side of justice. Our union stands for the undeniable right to a fair, just, and dignified life. Our union stands for equality and respect. Our union stands for #blacklivesmatter.
Local 888 is one of the most diverse locals in our international union, both in membership and staff. Our unyielding commitment to justice, fairness and equality makes it our duty to tackle issues that affect our members in and out of their workplace. We will not stand by and do nothing! UFCW Local 888 has not and will not remain silent in times of injustice! We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who have been affected by police brutality, systemic oppression and racism of any kind and have joined many human rights organizations across the country to express our outrage over this.
We are experiencing a time in history where People of Color are out marching in the middle of a pandemic that disproportionately killing People of Color to protest police violence that is disproportionately killing People of Color. This is unacceptable. Police brutality is unacceptable! Racism is unacceptable! This system has failed People of Color, Black Americans, and Black youth more than anyone else in the history of its existence. Now more than ever we need to come together in the name of humanity and shield one another from the grotesque brutality and trauma that our Black brothers and sisters are experiencing. There is power in numbers.
Our union representation transcends race, gender, sexual orientation, culture, and borders and we refuse to sit back and watch bigotry and racism target our members and their families. UFCW Local 888 has a duty, to our countless members of color, to fight for their human right to LIVE. We cannot allow empathy and compassion to be lost in this divisive climate; instead, we must revitalize it with acts of love. Let us come together and in unity, help to bring equality, respect, and empathy to make a change for those that have been murdered, victimized, and abused.
We hope you will join us.
In Solidarity
Max Bruny
President
