Hi friend,

I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and finding ways to safeguard your mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Many of us saw the tragic killing of George Floyd captured on social media and watched in  horror as police officers ignored pleas from bystanders and looked the other way as George Floyd repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.” I was reminded of the killing of Ernest Lacy in 1981, when my son held a sign during a rally asking, “Who is Next?” I was reminded of Dontre Hamilton, who lost his life on park bench.

Racism is part of our history’s past and, unfortunately, pervades our present. It has denied Black men and women their humanity and the dignity that comes with being treated with respect, costing too many their lives. And as a mother of Black children, worry has taken up space in my mind since they were born.

The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Joel Acevedo in Milwaukee created a tipping point for Milwaukeeans, Americans across the country, and people around the world to say enough is enough.

I am so proud of the peaceful protesters whose organizing discipline allowed them to remain focused on the message. I appreciate the courage from new individuals who joined in protest for the first time this week. I thank the folks who are now using their voices to call for justice and are willing to engage their family and friends in difficult and uncomfortable conversations. Activism can take many forms.

But I am upset at the opportunists who took advantage of people’s pain to damage businesses and hurt our community. In the end, they tried to make a mess of the message, but the work of caring individuals who volunteered to clean our community shined through. 

I remain in the trenches of the fight for justice on all fronts. Working to end the indignity that is poverty, addressing the maternal mortality crisis, fighting for equity in our criminal justice system, empowering small businesses, and supporting the most vulnerable during COVID-19 remain on my agenda because I know that these tragedies are one element of structural racism. It impacts every aspect of life, and now COVID-19 has compounded upon another crisis. As more than 100,000 Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19, people of color remain disproportionately impacted and are more likely to have employment, housing and health conditions that leave them more vulnerable during the pandemic. Inequities have only become more magnified.

Every day, I am grateful and honored to serve the Fourth District. I know that change occurs at the community level, and I have already heard powerful, gripping messages from my constituents. I want to hear from each of you. Share your ideas on how we can all work towards building more just and fair communities here.

And as we all try to understand how to move from here, I want to remind you of the importance of staying hopeful through these challenging times and protecting your wellbeing. Don’t let your frustration and pain become hopelessness and despair. Remain encouraged by the growing number of Americans who are calling for change in our country. May this give you the strength to remain fortified in the fight. I will remain right here, for every one of you.

Your friend,
Gwen