Statement on the Murder of George Floyd and Minneapolis Uprising

NCFA recently brought donations of hygiene products and bottled water to the Sheraton Hotel in the Midtown neighborhood in Minneapolis, which housed approximately 250 people without stable shelter.

On Monday, May 25th, we first learned about the horrific murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Words alone cannot adequately express our sympathy for Mr. Floyd’s loved ones and our solidarity with the communities in this country who have been historically terrorized by the police. 

The need for structural change is long overdue. The COVID pandemic is highlighting economic and environmental inequalities and deepening the injustices of the status quo. Now, more than ever, we must work to end these inequalities, which were created by white supremacy and institutional racism.

Due to the destruction of pharmacies and grocery stores, the systems that provide food and other necessities to neighborhoods across the Twin Cities need to be rebuilt in many areas. We are committed to playing an active role in these efforts and collaborating with other organizers in distributing supplies. Since food donations to those in need are currently plentiful, we are shifting our focus to provide other essential items like sanitary products and medical supplies. We pledge to continue to respond to community needs as they evolve. We will be having a visioning session to discuss our role within the food justice movement in the Twin Cities and how it can best support the health of black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Further statements will be released as we make new decisions.

We know our Twin Cities communities are strong. People from all walks of life have come together to protest police brutality, clean up affected areas, and protect their neighborhoods, proving that there is active solidarity between the people of these cities. When North Country Food Alliance (NCFA) was founded, the phrase “an injury to one is an injury to all,” carried the workers forward in their struggle to make our collective lives better. We stand behind these words once again and declare our solidarity with BIPOC communities in the Twin Cities and everywhere.

There are very many ways for people to contribute to the movement for black lives. We will be making further statements that include recommendations of local organizations to support.

In Solidarity for a Better World,

The Workers of NCFA