Dominican Sisters of Peace decry Floyd killing

The following is a national statement from the Dominican Sisters of Peace, which includes the names of the local sisters:

“The Dominican Sisters of Peace and Associates abhor the brutal killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a member of the police force. We are brokenhearted that yet another African American family must suffer this senseless loss of a loved one. Too many black men and women have lost their lives for no reason other than the color of their skin. The constant harassment of people of color; and the denial of the rights and dignity of people of color, our neighbors, must end now. We say unequivocally, black lives matter.

“As Americans, we must admit that racism is a sin. Period. No excuses. It is systemic, pernicious, and deeply embedded in our history. It is time we listened to the experience, and indeed the cry of our sisters and brothers who have endured decades of institutionalized disparities in income, access to health care, in educational opportunity, employment and equal protection under the law. This must be rectified.

“We are encouraged that an objective investigation by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will be carried out in a timely way. Justice in the death of George Floyd cannot be denied.

“We know the majority of police officers are well trained and perform their services competently and with care for their fellow citizens.  Yet among them are bullies who disrespect people of color and who sully the reputation of every other police officer. We call for a renewal and recommitment of law enforcement’s mission to protect and serve all our citizens equally regardless of color.

“It is time for bold, decisive action. We pledge to raise our voices and to act now to end this public sin. We do not want to pass on to the next generation, the suffocating oppressive sin of racism that we all suffer today.

“It is long past time to dismantle white privilege. We are working for justice and we pray for peace.”

Sister Pat Twohill, OP, Sister Christine Connolly, OP, Sister Therese Leckert, OP, Sister Carol Davis, OP, Sister Gemma Doll, OP, Sister Susan Zemgulis, OP, Sister Gene Poore, OP

Niskayuna