AHRC Nassau Executive Director Stanfort J. Perry shares the agency’s condolences for the death of Mr. George Floyd and calls out for greater advocacy toward peace, justice and equality for all.

Dear Families, Friends and Colleagues,

As the leader of organizations that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as being an African-American man, I know full well the challenges and obstacles faced by both communities.

As our nation mourns, we cannot help but offer our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. George Floyd for his brutal and senseless murder that we all witnessed in the media. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

As a community, we cannot remain silent. I have committed my career to uplifting the dignity and value of all human beings. Mr. Floyd’s senseless death does not magnify our common good. It brings about a level of disdain and hurt that is difficult to overcome. What happened to Mr. Floyd did not need to occur. His death is a stark reminder that each life is precious and we must affirm each other. Acts of hatred and disrespect must be eliminated.

Words cannot fully describe what I and countless others felt as we reflected on the last moments of Mr. Floyd’s life. However, we do know that where there is darkness a light must be shined to reflect and eliminate hate and injustice.

In this light, we also witness the tremendous goodness found within our diverse community of families, friends, volunteers and staff. We fully believe in our capacity to create and sustain our common good.

Though the challenges before us are at times tremendous and overwhelming, we must choose — through our words, thoughts and deeds — to emerge as a stronger and more just community. We do so together.

We grieve for each of the Black lives lost to racism and injustice. It is simply not enough to try to imagine what others are going through. We must have the respect and resolve to do something about it: we must sign petitions, contact elected representatives, support organizations that fight for peace, justice and equality.

Our family of organizations and our Diversity Committee will plan and mobilize toward supporting this important issue. We invite you to join us in standing up for peace, justice and equality as we stand beside other organizations doing the same. Our collective labor will make a positive difference. I am certain of it. We must illuminate our programs, our community, our nation, and our world on diversity matters that truly make a difference. Thank you.

Be safe and well,

Stanfort J. Perry
Executive Director