[H-PAD] H-PAD Statement on the Current Struggle

[Andor Skotnes]

 <h-pad at historiansforpeace.org>

*Statement of the Historians for Peace and Democracy (H-PAD) on the Current
Struggle*

*H-PAD condemns the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis
police. *

*We stand with many, many others to demand justice for George Floyd, his
family, and his community. *We stand with many others to demand that the
historic and structural racism of the U.S. police and justice systems--that
has led to the arbitrary, violent abuse of many African Americans and other
people of color for many, many years—be abolished.

*We stand with and applaud the multi-faceted, diverse uprising, led by
Black activists* often associated with Black Lives Matter, that has
exploded across the U.S. and countries abroad in protest of the murder of
Floyd and too many others, and the racism that produced these. And we stand
against attempts of reactionary and establishment forces to suppress that
protest movement through police and military action, to delegitimize it, to
demean portions of it, and to undermine and split it through the use of
racism, radical-baiting, and saboteurs/agents provocateurs.

*We call on historians, historically-minded activists, and progressive
intellectuals to increase their involvement in this movement in all ways
possible*, especially through offering analyses, mounting educational
efforts, engaging the mass and the new media, producing historical
understandings, and through participation in direct political action. We
also call for all of us to channel the resources and contacts we have made
through our professional and political activities into the movement.  And
we call on all to join the crucial fundraising efforts for bail and legal
defense for the many movement activists who have been, and are being
detained for protest activities.

*We are in the midst of a two massive, interrelated crises of great
historical proportion**s*: the continued abuse and murder of people of
color by the U.S. police system, and the astounding mishandling of the
coronavirus pandemic by those authorities concerned with their own power
and wealth, not the health and survival of working people and people of
color. The good news is that the movement that is growing is pressing hard
to resolving these crises on terms favorable to all the people of this
country.  H-PAD is committed to participating in and building this
movement.

*In subsequent communications, we plan to send information, provide
resources, and offer ideas on networking and organizing.*

*Steering Committee, Historians for Peace and Democracy*
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