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06.05.20

Black Lives Matter

The Surfrider Foundation Los Angeles chapter stands in solidarity with communities and organizations across the nation condemning the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black lives that have been victimized by generations of police brutality, state violence and the pervasive manifestations of systemic racism in America.

It is our deepest responsibility to acknowledge the historic injustices that have been perpetrated for centuries against the Black community and the endemic inequality that persists in virtually every corner of our society. We are committed to confronting these truths directly and discovering how we as individuals and as an organization can work to dismantle systemic racism in our community and beyond.

The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. For 35 years we have fostered a grassroots movement of everyday individuals tackling global ocean issues at the local level. But we cannot solve our environmental challenges without equally confronting the social and environmental injustices of our time.

Like the climate crisis, the fight for Black lives is a public health crisis. The effort to end state violence goes hand in hand with the fight for climate justice and the dismantling of a fossil fuel economy that for generations has been borne on the backs of Black, Brown and Indigenous communities of color. Organizations like Surfrider can no longer silo these interconnected issues.

Historically, the surf industry and dominant culture has had no shortage of racial prejudice. While the LA chapter has worked to address these issues over the last few years, we acknowledge our organizational shortcomings and are dedicated to unpacking implicit biases, emphasizing justice and creating an inclusive environment for our members and supporters to actively participate in the solutions to end systemic racism. We are committed to listening to communities of color and leaders in the social and environmental justice movements. We are committed to amplifying their stories, their work, and their demands while continuing to educate ourselves and our members on the history of racism in America.

This will be painstaking work and demand that each of us consistently show up with humility, openness and courage. We are calling on our community to be anti-racist and stand in solidarity with the Black-led movement to defeat white supremacy and help turn the tide on institutionalized racism. Join us and take action now:

Black Lives Matter.

In Solidarity,

Surfrider LA