George Floyd's Death will not be in vain, Consent Decree must remain in place

What happened to George Floyd will not be in vain. His death by the hands of the Minneapolis Police is a reflection of what’s happening all across the country. We are done dying!

A blind eye was turned to George Floyd as he gasped for breath last week. The police stood by and did nothing. The NAACP cannot allow Seattle to ignore the shooting deaths of black people happening throughout King County. We are done dying!

The NAACP will not stop fighting for true reform in Seattle until the officer-involved shooting deaths of unarmed black people cease. Our phones ring from loved ones every time a black person dies at the hands of a police officer. We wipe the tears and pray with the families. The Consent Decree must remain in place until excessive force and biased policing are a thing of the past. We are done dying!

The work continues. The NAACP will not stop until our phones stop ringing. We will keep fighting, we will keep marching as we call you to Action as I did yesterday at the Press Conference. You can make sure you:

1. Are registered to vote. Click here if you aren't.
Our WA State NAACP Chapters are rising to the occasion in the Power of 5 Challenge, asking people to tap into the concept of relational organizing. Each unit is giving each member a goal in registering 5 people to vote each week, volunteer for 5 days between now and the election, and text 5 mail-in ballot reminders to 5 voters each week.

2. Are involved. Ask questions of your elected representatives that help write policies that can make change for the greater good. Work for change. If unsure of who your representatives are, click here to find out and contact them.

3. Are being kind. Even in the midst of hatred and clashes with police.

4. Are a member of the NAACP to fight for your community. It's only $30 per year. Click here to be a part of the change.

- Carolyn Riley-Payne
President, NAACP Seattle King County

Photo by Jason Fields