On behalf of the Firm’s Executive Committee, I want to express our outrage and heartbreak over the events that have unfolded across the country over the last several days following the police’s brutal, senseless killing of George Floyd. The tragic death of Mr. Floyd follows the murders of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and the weaponization of race against Chris Cooper. All in the span of just a few days. These events are sad reminders that many Americans, including colleagues at Arent Fox, have to carry with them every day the added burden of being a person of color in our society, and to be afraid. And while some of our laws have changed, the protections of our legal system are not equally applied.
Protestors have made clear that Mr. Floyd’s murder is not limited to problems surrounding criminal justice. We are faced with racial inequalities that permeate every facet of our society, including socio-economic, criminal justice, education, and public health. As Martin Luther King Jr. so eloquently asked: “In the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear?”
To members of our family who are minorities, we know we are a stronger Firm because of your voice and perspective. It is incumbent on all of us to encourage a constructive dialogue that focuses on the experiences our friends have in the office and out in their community. That dialogue is even more difficult now. Just when we need to come together in person as a community we are instead scattered and isolated. A Partner at the Firm reminded me earlier today, I thought very eloquently, that “There is unrest, there is sadness, there is pain, but there is still hope. Hope that we can stick together in our communities, including our Firm community, to make meaningful changes.”
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When history looks back on this moment, how will we answer the question: What did we do to try to make things better?
Part of the answer as a law firm needs to be that we seized on our obligation and opportunity to do more. In the coming days we will be establishing a Firm task force to determine the actions that we can take to address issues of racial injustice, violence, and police-community relations. As lawyers and policy experts we have a unique skillset to help bring about meaningful change. We can do that in the form of workshops, targeted community engagements, and engaging in legal actions through partnerships with civic organizations. We will not stand on the sidelines.
Please stay safe today and in the days to come.
Mark M. Katz
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Chair