Evelyn DeJesus Executive Vice President | American Federation of Teachers
On the eve of the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's death, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten released a statement reflecting on the ongoing pursuit of justice. Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020.
Weingarten remarked, "The five years since George Floyd’s tragic murder have been a reminder that achieving true justice is never a straight line." She recalled the nationwide protests in 2020, emphasizing that many Americans recognized officer Derek Chauvin's actions as not only criminal but also intolerable in a nation governed by laws meant to protect everyone.
Weingarten expressed concern over the current administration's focus, stating, "Today, a second Trump administration remains laser-focused on unraveling the good work that millions marched for and too many died for. That includes the Justice Department’s abandonment of police oversight efforts in the very places where police violence happened."
Highlighting the connection between educational and racial justice, Weingarten noted that AFT members have been dedicated to protecting vulnerable students. She affirmed their progress: "And we’ve made progress, enshrining those protections in contracts."
Weingarten concluded with determination: "The march forward doesn’t stop. Not after Tulsa. Not after the Edmund Pettus Bridge. And it won’t stop now." She reiterated AFT's commitment to fighting for educational justice alongside its members in Minneapolis.
The statement underscores AFT's stance on maintaining a diverse democracy and continuing efforts toward justice despite challenges.
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