FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Manager
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2020 - The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) issued the following statement on the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, David McAtee, and many other black people by police, and the subsequent repression of peaceful protest across the United States:

“Black lives matter,” said DPE President Jennifer Dorning. “The deaths of George Floyd and many other black people at the hands of the police is horrible and unacceptable. Floyd, his family, and the countless black families who have lost loved ones due to racist violence deserve justice.”

“Racism and racial inequities exist across the country and union professionals continue to use their collective voice to work towards racial justice in and out of the workplace. Union professionals are diverse in their races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, but all are united in making the lives of working people better, and that includes eradicating oppression and discrimination.”

“I strongly condemn the use of force by police forces and the national guard against nonviolent protestors in cities across America. The right to assemble and protest is a core value of the labor movement and at the heart of the American democratic system. Additionally, I decry the intentional targeting of journalists and news professionals.”

About DPE

 The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) is a coalition of 24 unions representing over four million professional and technical union members. DPE affiliate unions represent professionals in over 300 occupations in education and healthcare; science, engineering, and technology; legal, business, and management; media, entertainment, and the arts; and public administration.