Tenants and Workers United and La ColectiVA Co-Host Two Community Events to Honor George Floyd
As protests against police brutality carry on across the country, and as law enforcement continue using excessive force against those exercising their First Amendment rights, communities everywhere are searching for ways to gather, show solidarity, express their emotions, and demand change. On Friday, June 5, 2020, Tenants and Workers United and La ColectiVA will co-host a community vigil in Alexandria and a Cacerolazo (Rally) for Black Lives in Arlington to remember and honor victims of police brutality and call for systemic changes that advance racial justice. Everyone is welcome to join the peaceful events. Face coverings and physical distance are strongly encouraged.
The vigil will be from 7:00-8:00pm in TWU’s parking lot, behind 3801 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. Participants are invited to bring posters, candles, and other tributes to honor the victims.
The Cacerolazo for Black Lives will be from 7:00-8:00pm and will take place at Tyrol Hill Park, 5101 7th Rd S, Arlington, VA 22204. Participants are invited to join in by making posters and banging pots and pans.
Ingris Moran, Lead Organizer at TWU, said “These events provide an opportunity for our communities to unite in solidarity with the Black community and honor all those who have had their lives taken away by police violence.” She added, “It’s a critical time for us to come together to push our local and state leaders to improve and change policies to end police brutality, increase police accountability, and advance social justice.”
Tirzah Sheppard of La ColectiVA said, “We gather because Black Lives Matter. Black LGBTQ+ Lives Matter. Black Trans Lives Matter. Black Disabled Lives Matter. La ColectiVA firmly believes that #WeKeepUsSafe and eagerly participates in the fight for police reform and abolition. Join us in uplifting our Black brothers and sisters as we honor George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others who have lost their lives to police brutality and systematic racism.”
More information can be found on the Facebook event pages: A Vigil for George Floyd & Other Victims of Police Brutality and Cacerolazo for Black Lives. To speak with TWU staff or community members, contact Evelin Urrutia at 571-332-3251 or Ingris Moran at 571-251-9537. To contact LaColectiVA, call Danny Cendejas at 703-474-1330.
###
Tenants and Workers United builds power of low-income communities of color – primarily immigrants – to create changes that positively impact the quality of our lives in Northern Virginia. We organize and support people to be agents of change in their own lives by addressing the issues they care about.
La ColectiVA is an inclusive collaborative led by gente Latinx who are committed to upholding social justice and equity.
