August 28, 2020

On this day 57 years ago, Dr. King, Rep. John Lewis, and other civil rights leaders gathered on the National Mall with thousands of people to demand equality and freedom. Today, thousands more gathered in the same place to carry on their mission, which is as important today as it was decades ago.

I was honored to take part in this 2020 March on Washington, along with many of my congressional colleagues, a wide array of partners in the fight for justice, and Americans from all over our country. We gathered together to loudly and proudly proclaim: Black Lives Matter.

We gathered for George Floyd, Jacob Blake, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and every other Black person who has been harmed or killed because of inequality and racism that is perpetuated in our criminal justice system. We will never stop saying their names.

One way we can honor them is by passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This is a major bill that dramatically reforms policing and better holds law enforcement accountable. The House passed it in June, but since then, it has been sitting on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s desk. We can’t and we won’t let him ignore our demands for change.

Of course, bold legislation is just one part of the solution. We need to stay organized, united and engaged in order to change the status quo that perpetuates this violence. We must demand reforms at every level of government, in every community across America.

This will be a challenge, but it is a challenge we have no choice but to face. It is the civil rights struggle of our time, and one we will win. If we use the values, the courage, and the strength of the pioneers who came before us, we can ensure a better future for us and for the Americans who come after us.

Your Friend,

André