The Esperanza stands in full solidarity with the Black community & Black Lives Matter movement in the fight against systemic racism & white supremacy!

The Buena Gente of the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center stand in full solidarity with the Black community and Black Lives Matter movement in the fight against systemic racism and white supremacy. The recent police violence that has cut short the lives of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aubrey and countless black victims of state violence before them, are only the most recent incidents of a long and painful history of structural violence and systemic oppression against African Americans that stretches from the time of slavery through today. The Esperanza has fought for many years against the structures of domination and oppression that most affect our poor and working class, communities of color, and LGBTQ communities. As artists and cultural organizers we have worked to envision change and organize for a community built upon cultural respect and mutual benefit for all. As a queer organization we recognize during Pride month that our grandmothers in the movement who started the Stonewall riots were Black and Latinx trans women of color who were resisting against police violence. Our struggle would not be possible without the continued and ongoing struggle of Black Liberation. Black liberation intersects with all social justice movements. The systemic violence that the Black community faces is an extension of the legacy of slavery and settler colonialism in this country, American Imperialism and continued militarism abroad, and the violence of the consumer and capitalist system that unfairly burdens communities of color by creating persistent inequities in housing, education, health and all systems. It is our hope that beyond the long overdue protests our communities will lead the work with elected and government officials long term for continued and lasting policy change that will dismantle structural racism and white supremacy to create equitable systems for all.