HREI Statement Regarding the Death of George Floyd

This morning, the Hopkins Race and Equity Initiative (HREI) held an emergency meeting to discuss the senseless death of George Floyd and our group’s role within the community going forward.

On behalf of the HREI and our partners, the City of Hopkins, the Hopkins Police Department, Hopkins Public Schools and Gethsemane Lutheran Church, we want to start by expressing our sadness and sincerest condolences to George Floyd’s family, friends and loved ones.

We formed HREI in 2016 as a reaction to this exact type of tragedy, and the unnecessary death of Mr. Floyd emphasizes the continued need for our work. HREI is against all forms of racism and the white supremacy that continues to lead to the discrimination against people of color. 

We as a group have been struggling with what to say, because we know that talk is cheap. Words are hollow. Action is what is important.

Our black community is hurting right now. We must acknowledge that. We must also acknowledge the reality that our black community and all communities of color have faced many, many years of oppression and systemic racism that they continue to experience in our community today.

This is why we came together and why we continue to remain united. We are proud of the work we have done, but know there is so much more to do.

We invite you, our engaged community, to reach out to us with any ideas you might have to help us in our fight to “create opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of race, equity and diversity, and promote a sense of community that welcomes and values all residents.”  

We need your continued partnership and commitment to help us move this work forward. 

About the Hopkins Race and Equity Initiative

The Hopkins Race and Equity Initiative (HREI) is a collaborative effort creating opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of race, equity and diversity and promoting a sense of community that welcomes and values all residents. Members include:

• The City of Hopkins
• The Gethsemane Lutheran Church
• The Hopkins Public Schools
• The Police Department

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