We Are Witnesses
On Wednesday, June 3, 2020, MWEG hosted its inaugural Town Hall: “If All Lives Matter, then Black Lives Matter: Turning Frustration into Productive Interpersonal Action.” After inspiring words by featured presenter Dr. LaShawn Williams, MWEG’s anti-racism committee lead, Charlotte Mountain, shared these thoughts.
“One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15).
What this is telling us is that it is righteous and good that there be corroboration to any prosecution. We should not be convicted on what we would call a “he said, she said.” Let there be evidence. Let there be testimony.
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed face down in the street. You know this. This tragedy is, in essence, why we are all here tonight. This one has galvanized our resolve and has entered the American consciousness much like 9/11 or the killing of Kennedy. There have been outrageous killings of people by the police in the past. We know the names. Breonna Taylor, Abner Louima, Amadou Diallo, Atatiana Jefferson, Philando Castile, and more. The list grows longer and longer by the week. If we add in the racially motivated killings by civilians, we could have spent this hour reciting the names and not gotten further back in time than a decade.
What has made this murder so different? It is that we are witnesses.
A week ago, I dictated an article to Emma. She graciously transcribed it for me. In that article I asked people to watch the video of the murder of George Floyd. This video was shot with a steady hand by a 17-year-old girl named Darnella Frazier. Keep her in your prayers. The Latter-day Saint religion has a great tradition of anointing and setting apart children for great things. I believe that for this day Darnella has been set apart. She showed us the truth. She made us witnesses. I did not ask that you watch this video to see a man die. There was no prurient excitement in my request. I did not ask you to watch because I wanted you to feel pain, although I know this is painful.
There is a story in this video. It is the story of man’s inhumanity to man. It is savagery. At one point, as the bystanders were yelling that Mr. Floyd’s nose was bleeding and beginning to advance, Officer Chauvin unholstered his pepper spray and pointed it at the people so as to menace them away, all without removing his knee from Mr. Floyd’s neck. He was like a wild animal protecting his kill. Officer Thau controlled the crowd, and both officers made disparaging remarks to Mr. Floyd and to the bystanders while Mr. Floyd died. I wanted you to see that somehow, with four officers on the scene and an additional two officers processing Mr. Floyd’s car just across the street, nothing in their training and nothing in their conscience could prevent this outcome. In broad daylight, and fully aware of the camera, they continued. And when they were done, they walked away looking quite unconcerned.
And we were made witnesses.
We — as a nation and as Christians — are now burdened. We have knowledge unlike any knowledge we have had in the past. Oftentimes we read a news account or see a few minutes of surveillance video or a bit of body-worn camera footage that gives us an indication of what has happened. Never before have we seen that moment when a man, at the hands of another, cried out for his mama. When undeniably we watched the suffering of a man no longer capable of resisting. Are we indignant? Have we had enough?
I hope that for us all the answer is a resounding and booming, “Yes!” The Lord has never given us a knowledge without asking us to act on that knowledge. We read in James 2:26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” How should our faith cause us to act on this tragedy, this abomination, this horror.
You may have seen a list of addresses that we have been circulating of officials in Minneapolis you can write to. I know many of you have written and many of you are planning to write. It is an extensive list. I ask you, after you have written, write again. Tell them you are a witness and you intend to keep watch. Remind them often that we are still here and that we care. This is that important.
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We often recite the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If Mr. Floyd were your brother, husband, or child, how often would you write a letter or make a phone call? This is a marathon, not a sprint. We mourn with those that mourn. When will our mourning for Mr. Floyd end? When can we say enough? I do not know, but I believe at this time, we cannot allow this moment and this energy to dissipate. When this moment is remembered as history, we want to be counted among those who took a stand. Like the “me too” movement, this is a watershed moment in American history when the people say, “We have had enough.” Things have to change, and our voices must be heard.
In addition to writing to the officials in Minneapolis, you can also write and call the officials wherever you are. Ask them questions about training. Ask them about conflict resolution strategies and bias and diversity trainings. Ask if the public is invited to witness their diversity training as well. These could easily be filmed and broadcast online. Are these trainings solely for the police department, or are they offered to all municipal staff as well? Does your school district do these types of trainings also? We have prepared a simple document outlining some things you can ask for.
Teach your agencies of the principles of peacemaking:
1. Peacemaking is proactive and courageous.
This may mean you have to take the first step in approaching your local government. And that does take courage.
2. Peacemaking seeks to unify instead of divide.
Face your local agencies with a spirit of unity toward all the residents in your area. Bring the news that you care about all in your community and want everyone to live in peace and security.
3. Peacemaking demands great tolerance for people and none for injustice.
Be firm in your resolve to speak truth to power. Let them know you are a valuable human being and view others the same way. That you expect the same level of justice for all.
4. Peacemaking views human suffering as sacred.
Let them know that when one person suffers, you, too, suffer, and the light within you has caused you to act.
5. Peacemaking chooses love instead of hate.
Remember that we are one family. That in love for all people we demand justice for all people.
6. Peacemaking believes that ultimate peace is not only possible, but sure.
Again, at this time when the world is galvanized by the death of Mr. Floyd, it is more than possible that there will be large systemic changes that will push us toward greater peace.
Toward this goal, Mormon Women for Ethical Government is researching and planning further actions we can all take together to advance the cause of peace, justice, and security. But you do not need to wait for us to outline these actions for you! Start conversations with your friends, family, and community leaders now. Claim your moral authority and act on it, as moved upon by the Spirit!
Many of you have seen and used the We Witness website, where we shared submitted copies of letters written by you and other concerned citizens during the recent impeachment hearings. That website is in the process of being updated so we can include letters written during this current tragedy. Please submit the letters you write! We hope that by including your letters we can offer a platform for each of you to remember you are not alone in your resolve. We also hope these letters inspire you and educate you.
It has been heartwarming to me to read even on Facebook messages the words of so many of you. The love you have expressed for each other and the concern you have for your fellow man is extraordinary.
I am proud to count myself among you and am honored to have had this opportunity to address you.
Because we are witnesses. I leave you with this scripture: “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
