Peduto gives statement on George Floyd and Black Lives Matter movement
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Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto released a statement Thursday on the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in the custody of Minneapolis police officers, and the protests that have erupted in Pittsburgh and across the country in response.
In a lengthy message, published on the mayor’s official website, Peduto promised black residents that their voices have been heard, and his administration will work hard to instill greater equity measures across the city.
“This is the culmination of years and generations of racism — using housing regulations, employment barriers, education quality and inability to access other structures to negatively impact black people by not allowing them to have the same access to opportunities that other neighbors have,” the statement reads.
Peduto said Floyd’s death and the demonstrations of the last two weeks are not just a “moment.” He said city leaders must listen to the pain, grief and trauma of black residents.
“The City of Pittsburgh’s primary responsibility will always be to protect the health and safety of the people here,” Peduto said. “But when the color of your skin in this city and this country determines whether or not you will survive childbirth or makes you significantly more likely to develop health problems or controls how likely you are to get employment let alone upper-level management or leadership positions, we’re not protecting all of our neighbors.”
“When people in our city fear our civil servants and officers, we’re not protecting all of our neighbors,” he continued.
Peduto said black neighborhoods in Pittsburgh were created through the practice of redlining where banks denied loans to black people and used policy regulations to provide mortgages based on race.
Now, Peduto said, city leaders have the power to use policy to “build up” black residents and give them opportunities that have been historically denied to them. Peduto said equity is a priority to his administration, citing the Office of Equity and the fact that all senior officials and authorities are required to attend racial equity training. Registered Community Organizations, education and tech programs, investments in minority and women-owned businesses are all examples of ways the city tries to be equitable, he said.
He mentioned Pittsburgh’s participation in the 21st Century Policing initiative, a program launched by former President Barrack Obama that requires all police officers complete implicit bias training and implement other tactics.
Still, Peduto said, more reforms are needed.
“While these are important steps for our city, it’s clear that more must be done,” he said. “It’s critical that our communities’ voices are heard in our policies and their needs are met through our policies.”
Peduto said his administration will better collect racial and demographic data and introduce phases of policy reform.
“I do believe that we are a city where when we are met with adversity, we pull together to take care of our neighbors and come out stronger,” he said. “It’s time for us to go to work.”