WFSE Follow-Up Statement Regarding the Murder of Black Americans: WFSE Public Safety Members Speak Out Against Hate
Social and economic justice are at the core of who we are as a union. The WFSE Executive Committee’s decision to release a statement condemning brutality and murder at the hands of police—who have sworn to serve and protect—was our moral responsibility.
Furthermore, as a union representing several hundred public safety professionals, we must take the lead on condemning acts that undeniably run contrary to the law enforcement code of ethics. We recognize and thank the many WFSE public safety members who serve our communities honorably, and especially those who have publicly denounced these acts.
Calling out instances of white supremacy and racism in police departments across the country is not an anti-law enforcement stance; it’s an act of solidarity with our union siblings who have suffered as a result of these injustices and an act of solidarity with the public safety professionals who choose to serve and protect while upholding the highest professional standards.
As AFSCME International President Lee Saunders recently stated:
“As both a union that represents several thousand law enforcement officers and a union that has long been in the vanguard of the struggle for civil rights, AFSCME believes we cannot be forced to choose between racial justice or effective policing. A free, healthy society can and must have both.”
We are committed to lead, recognizing our collective responsibility and commitment to labor, economic, social, human and civil rights. They are, in fact, inseparable—and this is our legacy.
In closing, several public safety professionals in our union have spoken up against hate. We would like to share a couple statements from our valued members in Public Safety:
"The bottom line for me is to treat every person I encounter with the dignity and respect we all deserve, knowing we still live in a world where systemic, institutional, and individual racism still exist." -Jon Oglesby, Community Corrections Officer III
"We have taken great steps and accomplished many things to better our union and our communities in this state in regards to public safety and racial inequalities over the past several years. I, like other members in Public Safety, am here to serve to hopefully make my community a better place for all. Please don't judge the entirety of the work we do by the grave misdeeds of a few. Our state and union are strong and we can rise up and be above all of this if we so choose. We are stronger together."
-Andy Page, Community Corrections Officer III
###