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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued a joint statement on Thursday with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission and the Multicultural Commission about George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for several minutes.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the brutal and inhumane murder of Mr. George Floyd and the many lives taken before him,” the statement said. “Their deaths have prompted the community to pause and reflect how racism and injustice affects everyone individually and collectively in our daily lives, but also to consider how it is uniquely felt by communities of color.”
The state commissions and the governor called for civility and togetherness as communities work to face the issue of racism.
The statement came after an emergency meeting was called on Wednesday between the leaders to discuss race relations.
On Thursday, protesters marched near the Utah State Capitol for a fourth consecutive day. A curfew was previously implemented in the city but was lifted after multiple days of peaceful protests.
Utah leaders across the state have spoken out about law enforcement and criminal justice reform amid the protests.
On Thursday, the NAACP Salt Lake Branch said it was "proud to announce Utah as the first state to respond for our concerns and call to action" and said the organization would be holding a press conference on Friday morning at the state Capitol with elected and community leaders to discuss legislation and goals "to address long-standing nationwide concerns."
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson is also holding a community-based call to action Friday to announce a proposal to address reform and the needs of individuals in diverse communities.
And the city of Moab issued a proclamation Thursday, signed by Mayor Emily Niehaus and police chief Bret Edge, promising to review its use of force policies and engage a diverse range of community members in seeking input.
Additionally, Black Lives Matter Utah and the ACLU of Utah issued a joint statement on Thursday commending the curfew’s lifting and calling on Salt Lake City Mayor Mendenhall to take further action and not “shut down” minority voices.
The governor and commisons' statement in its entirety reads:
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the brutal and inhumane murder of Mr. George Floyd and the many lives taken before him. Their deaths have prompted the community to pause and reflect how racism and injustice affects everyone individually and collectively in our daily lives, but also to consider how it is uniquely felt by communities of color.
"We grieve alongside their families, friends, community and the nation. Together, we must play a role in demonstrating compassion, dignity, and respect, as neighbors, co-workers, and parents to foster a more welcoming, inclusive, accessible and equitable community and world to live in.
"We are here to make the necessary call for us all to work together, to help one another, to listen intentionally to those who feel unheard, to be braver and better, to create the solution for such a time as this, and commit to eradicate racism from our thoughts, words, deeds and actions. We cannot regulate the hearts of others, but we can surely hold them accountable and continually work to change our own for greater empathy and indignation when we witness harm against another.
"Those of us, and all who oppose violence and oppression against any group of people, must be the most committed and vocal advocates for justice.
"We know that America’s 'sin' of racism is still too prevalent. People from marginalized communities who suffer everyday indignities and who now march to protest the deeply rooted historical and systemic oppression are looking to each of us to say in words and actions, 'no more.'
"The time to usher in change and healing is now. The time to learn from our history that tells a tale of a divided nation can guide us to do better and to fiercely work to achieve equity and inclusion in our policies and practices.
"The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission, the Multicultural Commission, and the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs stand in solidarity with Utah leadership, stakeholders, community members and trusted leaders to declare that what happened to Mr. George Floyd is now the catalyst to transform the fabric of America into a tapestry of equity and racial justice for all.
"We look forward to advancing efforts for change and creating a Utah where families of all races and backgrounds feel safe, heard, and valued.”
