STATEMENT BY YWCA USA INTERIM CEO CASEY HARDEN
“The violence against women of color by police cannot continue. The recent killing of Kiwi Herring is a tragic example of the heightened violence that trans women of color face. Kiwi had been consistently harassed by her neighbor and the police were called to a situation between Kiwi and that neighbor and a knife was involved. This is a clear example of the fact that police intervention for Black women too often becomes violent or deadly. Black women and girls make up 13 percent of the population but are one third of all women killed by police, wherein police intervention for Black women too often becomes violent or deadly. Especially cruel, Kiwi was killed in front of one of her children—much like Korryn Gaines and Charleena Lyles. This atrocity is not an anomaly.”
“Women of color should not be expected to be blameless in order to receive justice or safety. Involvement of a knife does not change her right to equal protection and care under the law. As advocates, we understand that there are no perfect victims. However, we also know that White people more frequently enjoy assistance and de-escalation from police whereas people of color are subjected to excessive force. We are horrified that a call for help left Kiwi Herring dead.”
“This violence and discrimination against marginalized women of color needs to end. Enough is enough.”
About YWCA USA
YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families.
YWCA has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for more than 150 years — from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to health care reform. Today, we combine programming and advocacy in order to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice and civil rights; empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls; and health and safety of women and girls. Learn more: www.ywca.org.
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