Statement of Russ Feingold, President, and Zinelle October, Executive Vice President, American Constitution Society on the tragic murder of George Floyd and acts of violence by police rooted in racism.

WASHINGTON, DC - ACS stands with the civil rights community in observing a National Day of Mourning this Thursday. Each time a tragedy like the murder of George Floyd happens, it is triggering for Black and Brown people who see themselves and their loved ones in each victim, which is shamefully often. The stress and pain are real and personal. 

These murders and acts of violence by police are rooted in racism. We are grieving over these systemic and senseless losses of life, and we stand with our Black and Brown communities who feel this like no other. And while it’s important to grieve, we must also be a part of the change that’s so desperately needed. While we revere the Constitution, defend democracy, and work toward a more just union, we cannot ignore the racist history of our nation’s founding documents. We must continue to insist and work to uphold the Constitution in the 21st Century by ensuring that law is a force for protecting our democracy and the public interest and for improving people’s lives—including the lives of Black and Brown people.

Judge Carlton Reeves reminded us at last month’s ACS virtual graduation that we all have to advocate for a more perfect union. We take that charge seriously, and we encourage our members and supporters to stand up against racism and, as our colleagues who organized the day of mourning mention, work to stop the “brutal killings of African Americans by police and vigilantes – as well as the appalling, inappropriate response by police to peaceful uprisings.” Here are a few ways that we will and we should work toward those missions:

• Observe a National Day of Mourning this Thursday
• Save the date for our briefing call on “A History of Violence: Institutional Racism in Our Criminal Justice System” on Friday, June 5^th at 1:30 pm ET.
• Organize or join an antiracist or diversity and inclusion discussion with your local ACS chapter. If you’d like to be connected with your local chapter, email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Sign this petition by Color of Change calling for the end of police violence against Black people
• Volunteer to Help Protesters. The National Lawyers Guild is looking for lawyers to help with protest support efforts around the country. Volunteers are needed to answer hotlines, act as legal observers, and help with legal defense work. Training materials are available through the National Lawyers Guild and local chapters. If you are interested, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and include your location and where you are barred so we could connect you/share further information.
• See these anti-racism resources.
• Join our virtual national convention June 8-12.
• Complete your Census form and encourage everyone you know to do the same.
• Vote and sign up with us to get out the vote.
• If you have other ideas for ACS, please let us know at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Callous disregard among police for the lives, labor, health, and safety of communities of color must be weeded out, says labor union.

MILWAUKEE, WI - AFSCME Wisconsin categorically rebukes the recent vicious murder of George Floyd, the killings of Wisconsin’s Tony Robinson, Jonathon Tubby, all unnamed victims, and all forms of violence against black, indigenous, and people of color by police. AFSCME Wisconsin is dedicated to eradicating all forms of violence against communities of color, including economic violence which exploits labor, as it has since the inception of our nation.

AFSCME Wisconsin Executive Director Patrick Wycoff stated, “AFSCME Wisconsin reaffirms our collective responsibility to resist police crimes, racism, and white supremacy as classist tools used to silence and injure the working class. Deploying police violence against the working class is not a new tactic. We must heighten our efforts to eliminate this violence with solidarity and accountability.”

Callous disregard for the lives, labor, health, and safety of communities of color must be met with a concerted movement to defund the militarized police presence in our communities and support community-controlled policing oversight. AFSCME Wisconsin is deeply dedicated to a labor movement led by black, indigenous, and people of color and healing the wounds of racism perpetuated against union members in the labor movement.

AFSCME Wisconsin President Paul Spink remarked, “at the very heart of the labor movement is the idea that an injury to one is an injury to all. AFSCME has taken pride in our involvement in the civil rights movement since 1968. We continue to commit today, and we stand in solidarity with all those who have been tragically killed by law enforcement officers who have sworn to protect them. We demand that our elected leaders hold all public employees to a high standard of accountability and integrity and that they do so now.”

Please contribute to organizations continuing the vital work of racial and economic justice including Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, Leaders Igniting Transformation, Voces de la Frontera, Indigenous Environmental Network, and Liberate MKE.