TT Black Lives Matter activist to US ambassador: Prayers not enough

Artist and activist Abeo Jackson said thoughts and prayers are no longer enough when it comes to the systemic racism and police brutality perpetrated against African Americans in the US.

She was responding to a statement by US Ambassador Joseph Mondello on the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer last week in Minnesota.

Floyd’s death sparked protests in Minneapolis, where he was killed, as well as supporting protests and rallies worldwide, including in TT, where just over a dozen people gathered on Monday for a peaceful protest in front of the US Embassy.

In a release on Tuesday, Mondello said the US’s thoughts and prayers are with Floyd's family and loved ones and with African Americans who continue to face acts of racist violence and discrimination.

“That is absolutely contrary to what the US stands for," he said, "and why I choose to represent my country as a diplomat.

"Our hearts are with the American people as we mourn the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. I know the grief from this loss weighs heavily on our US Mission, our nation, and our friends. The US Department of Justice has announced a full criminal investigation into the circumstances of Mr Floyd's death and the police officer involved has been charged with murder and manslaughter.”

“As we pray for truth and healing, we will continue to work together for a more just, equitable, and humane society.”

In response, Jackson – who was one of the local protesters – said the charge of third-degree murder for one of the police officers involved was not good enough, and asked why the other three officers involved were not being charged.

“How are you actually demanding or advocating that there be systemic change re police brutality against African Americans across the US?” she wanted to know.

Activist Terry-Ann Roy said the current situation in the US is a response to years of racism and police brutality and isn’t confined solely to the death of George Floyd.

“We say the names of Breonna Taylor, who was also recently killed in her own apartment by the police who were executing a warrant in the wrong address, and Tony McDade, a black trans man who was also recently killed by the police.

"While we welcome the prosecution of the officer involved in the killing of George Floyd we continue to call for justice for all those unlawfully killed at the hands of the police and a total reformation of the police and protective services globally, including here in TT.”

Roy said she is hopeful that transformation and greater accountability within protective services can extend not only to TT but also the wider Caribbean. She hoped the painful but necessary conversation surroundings race inequalities and oppression in the region can begin so people can exist in a space where justice and equality is the bedrock of society.

“We all need to not be silent but to call out oppressions and inequalities and acknowledge that black lives matter. Trinis with resources and power should use their voices and platforms to bring awareness and show solidarity with our black siblings who face racism and anti-blackness all over the world.”