Statement from the Boston Independent Drivers Guild
The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers is the latest horrific action in the centuries old oppression of black people and other minorities in the United States. The whole world has witnessed, once again, police brutality against a black man and an unnecessary wasting of human life.
The Boston Independent Drivers Guild expresses our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Floyd and to all those who have faced the brutality of the police boot. We call for the immediate arrest and vigorous prosecution of the four officers involved in this murder. And we pledge our continued active support in the twin fights against racism and police violence.
Over the past few days we have witnessed a serious uprising on the streets of Minneapolis, as protesters continue to battle police night after night. We recognize the riot as the language of the unheard, and express our understanding for the rage felt by the participants.
We notice that those who speak so vocally against looting are often silent when black men and boys are murdered by police or when immigrant families are forcibly separated by ICE; it seems these murders only gain the level of attention they deserve when buildings burn. We condemn a system when material goods are worth more than human lives; one innocent life is more valuable to us than all the Targets and police precincts in the country.
As a rideshare drivers organization with many members who are immigrants and people of color who face the threat of police brutality every day, we recognize that an injury to one is an injury to all. Our black and brown members testify that they have faced harassment from police while on the job. Our white members have a responsibility to their fellow drivers, and to the whole of humanity, to stand firmly against racist police brutality and racism, which we recognize as one of the main tools that the ruling classes use to keep workers divided. We are committed to building a labor movement which sees the fight for workers rights and the fight against racism as inextricably intertwined. We condemn police brutality in all its forms.
Rideshare drivers and the labor movement must do our part to vigorously oppose racism and police brutality, and fight for demilitarization of the police. We affirm that #BlackLivesMatter. We commend ATU Local 1005’s refusal to side with police against the protestors, and call on the AFL-CIO to sever all ties with police unions.
In Solidarity,
Executive Committee
Boston Independent Drivers Guild