We at Nepali American Community Center (NACC) of Virginia stand with the Black community-against racism, systemic injustice, police brutality and deprivation of civil rights. Over the past several days we have heard very impactful voices against racism due to the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylormmand, and many more. The sorrow of these violent deaths through unjust treatment has been deeply felt throughout the world.
As a very new immigrant community, it is acknowledged that most of us have not faced the longstanding, outright discrimination, and systemic racism that members of the Black community experience in our country every day. While we cannot fully understand the struggle, we are able to walk alongside as allies. We request our members to be engaged and be activists during this situation. Have conversations, join protests, inform others, and overall support the historic movement that is currently unfolding.
If you choose to protest, please keep in mind that it is occurring during a global pandemic, and COVID-19 remains to be an ongoing threat in our area. We request you to practice physical distancing to reduce the risk of transmission and community spread. Make sure to bring masks and maintain distance. We recognize that for some, the pain and trauma of recent events can only be healed through community grieving; we appreciate and thank our event organizers for their diligence in advising those planning to attend in-person on the need to utilize masks, maintain physical distancing, and stay away if experiencing any COVID-19 like symptoms. If you don’t feel like it is safe to protest, there are many ways you can protest from home. Sign petitions, donate money, and spread awareness for the cause.
We stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, we support the cause, and call attention against racism in the United States and around the world. What happened to Jamar Clark and George Floyd has been occurring in the country for much too long. We must join this movement by raising our voices and playing our part. It is our responsibility to prevent this from happening in the future, and to help get these victims to the justice they deserve.
As allies to this movement our first job is to listen and to ask how we can support Black Lives Matter to end racially biased violence. It is important to be curious, open and learn. We must educate our communities and our organizations on why it is important for Nepali American communities to stand and show unity with Black communities.
Finally, we ask that members of our communities’ step into this commitment to listen, and to act.
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