CLS Statement of Solidarity and Consciousness

Like most people in the United States, the faculty and staff of the Chican@ & Latin@ Studies Program find ourselves overwhelmed by grief and rage following recent reports of police and vigilante violence against African Americans.  The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery are, unfortunately, only the latest examples of a nationwide pattern of disregard for Black lives by those charged with protecting us all.  This disregard has deep historical roots, and it must end. In the wake of these atrocities, communities all over the country have mobilized to demand justice for the victims and an end to police impunity.  From the streets, thousands are calling for a radical transformation of the country’s policing and justice system.  We stand in solidarity with these calls. We firmly stand for transformative and inclusive education that privileges full humanity, promotes social equality, and fosters well-being for all. Our country is at a breaking point.  Protests continue even as COVID-19 spreads and police and military type state agencies surveil, harm, arrest, and even kill people in the streets.  As individuals and as members of the University community, we pledge to do our part to engage with local efforts seeking real change.   ¡Ya basta!   BLACK LIVES MATTER! THE UNDERSIGNED STAFF AND FACULTY OF THE CHICAN@ AND LATIN@ STUDIES PROGRAM Andrea-Teresa Arenas Patrick Barrett Rachelle Eilers Falina Enriquez Alberta Gloria Mary Louise Gomez Peter Haney Paola Hernández Armando Ibarra Edna Ledesma Lori Lopez Benjamin Márquez Sara McKinnon Rubén Medina Almita Miranda Alfonso Morales Mariana Pacheco Steve Quintana Marla Ramírez-Tahuado Diana Rodríguez-Gómez Diego Román Carolina Sarmiento Revel Sims Kate Vieira