Join the June 5, 2020 Hilo Peace Vigil
“I Can’t Breathe”
Is there anyone who has not seen the video police killing of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday, May 25, 2020? For nearly 9 minutes police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on the neck of handcuffed George Floyd face down on the ground while George repeatedly pleaded – “I can’t breathe.” Police Officer Derek Chauvin has now been charged with murder. But the Minneapolis Police Chief said other police officers who were present and did nothing to stop the knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck were complicit in the murder. (Update: The protests have made a big difference. After more than 1 week, the three other police officers involved in the killing of George Floyd have now been charged with aiding and abetting in his murder.” )
President Donald Trump is fueling the flames of violence, calling protesters “lowlifes and losers.” After hiding out in a White House Bunker, Trump had peaceful protesters in Washington, D.C. forcefully removed so he could walk to nearby St. John’s Episcopal Church to hold a photo op. Religious leaders have denounced Trump’s actions and for advocating the use of “overwhelming force” and “domination” toward protests. Protests against systematic racism and police brutality are now taking place not only in cities throughout the U.S. but in cities around the world. Where will this escalation of brutality end? The U.S. has been waging regime change wars for decades around the world. Militarizing the police and waging more war is not the answer. Trump and all political leaders should be doing everything possible to de-escalate the tension and violence and create a calm climate for much needed positive change.
Below are important quotes from the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“A riot is the language of the unheard.” “The evils of capitalism are as real as the evils of militarism and the evils of racism.” “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” “When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered.”
Here in Hawaii let’s stand in solidarity with the family of George Floyd and people throughout the US and all over the world for justice and an end to systemic racism and police brutality. We also need to deal with systemic racism right here in Hawaii. Too many settlers in Hawaii ignore the history of the U.S. overthrow of the independent nation of Hawaii and the spiritual values of Hawaii’s host people, Kanaka Maoli, that view Mauna Kea as Sacred. Supporting the building of the 18 story Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea is viewed by many Kanaka Maoli as desecration. It is also seen as racist at its core — trampling on the Sacred Temple and the very souls of the Hawaiian people. Let’s show respect! Respect the Sacred. No TMT.
Black Lives Matter! Hawaiian
Solidarity!
Enough is Enough!
1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties.
4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, etc.
5. Seek peace through peaceful means and work for justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760 Phone (808) 966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org
For more information and to receive our posts go to www.malu-aina.org
June 5, 2020 Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet – week 975 – Fridays 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office
