A Statement from the Denver Urban Debate League
April 21, 2021
Yesterday we took a collective sigh of relief as we heard the jury find Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts for the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. This is a historic legal victory, and it holds a white police officer accountable for the death of a Black man. But, it is also a reminder of the profoundly unjust loss of George Floyd’s life, and the loss of many other Black and Brown lives, at the hands of law enforcement. A verdict alone cannot heal centuries of Black trauma, but it is a significant step towards more meaningful change. We must use the momentum of this unprecedented verdict as a catalyst for deep and continued reform in our country.
The Denver Urban Debate League’s programs are built to dismantle systemic racism and amplify the voices of young leaders, especially students of color, in the Denver metro community. Providing our students with a platform to increase equity and inclusion has always been, and will continue to be, our utmost core value as an organization. The work we do to help young people cultivate the advocacy skills necessary to effect meaningful societal change is increasingly important as we look ahead at the work we all must do: speak truth and achieve justice for all people.
Today we stand with our students and our supporters as we renew our commitment to this important work in honor of George Floyd and his family.
April 21, 2021
Yesterday we took a collective sigh of relief as we heard the jury find Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts for the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. This is a historic legal victory, and it holds a white police officer accountable for the death of a Black man. But, it is also a reminder of the profoundly unjust loss of George Floyd’s life, and the loss of many other Black and Brown lives, at the hands of law enforcement. A verdict alone cannot heal centuries of Black trauma, but it is a significant step towards more meaningful change. We must use the momentum of this unprecedented verdict as a catalyst for deep and continued reform in our country.
The Denver Urban Debate League’s programs are built to dismantle systemic racism and amplify the voices of young leaders, especially students of color, in the Denver metro community. Providing our students with a platform to increase equity and inclusion has always been, and will continue to be, our utmost core value as an organization. The work we do to help young people cultivate the advocacy skills necessary to effect meaningful societal change is increasingly important as we look ahead at the work we all must do: speak truth and achieve justice for all people.
Today we stand with our students and our supporters as we renew our commitment to this important work in honor of George Floyd and his family.
