Statement of Solidarity

June 11, 2020

Health Law Advocates has and always will represent and fight for people made vulnerable by inequities in our health care system and society generally. Racism is at the root of many of these inequities. We are compelled to speak out today to affirm that we join the mourning and share the outrage of people here in Massachusetts and across our country for the deaths of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others who are targeted because they are Black. We are also inspired by and stand in solidarity with the protestors and allies crying out for immediate, permanent change.

The fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionally devastating people of color is also rooted in racism. Systemic racism and discrimination existed long before the pandemic, and they will continue long after it. As our community responds to and begins recovering from the pandemic, we must ensure the steps we take serve to eliminate the stark disparities playing out once again before our eyes. We will continue to address structural racism in our health care system and the deep-seated barriers limiting people of color the access to quality care they deserve, while confronting our own biases deliberately and daily.