News report by : Ashmita Chhabria International Corrospondent  Hello Mumbai : 

Mumbai: India Association of Minnesota (IAM) USA Sends Letters To George’s Family, Governor Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey, And Also Stated IAM Will Work With Asian Community To Invest In Long Term Community Initiatives That Address Racism And Social Justice.

Mumbai: Indian Association Of Minnesota (IAM) is protesting against racism and injustice faced by black community. They urge the government to reform criminal justice, to hold police accountable for this incident of George Floyd and end racial profiling.

Hello Mumbai News international correspondent Ashmita Chabbria interacted with the President of IAM Mr. Sreeni Checkaand Board Member Mr. Ram Gada. Mr. Sreeni shared the incident and plans of IAM and on the whole he said that, the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer exposed deep systemic structural racism problems in society. They all felt grief, sorrow, frustration, anger and continue to do self-introspection on their own unconscious biases.

He continues to remind himself and fellow Asian community members about how the civil rights movement by the African American community opened the doors for immigration for people of color in 1965 and allowed people all across the world, including South Asians, to pursue their dreams in this promised land.

India Association of Minnesota held community conversations, organized a vigil in collaboration with passionate community members and sent condolence letters to George Floyd’s family. Their Asian Indian Community will work to invest in long term community initiatives that address racism and social justice. Youth and next generation are much better positioned to lead the way and they will rely on them heavily to mold and shape their work in this area.

He further stated, “Stay safe and healthy. Let’s commit to doing our part to bring out much needed equity and justice.”
Asian Indian Community Mourns For George Floyd.
They mourn the unjust death of George Floyd and condemn acts of racial violence against African Americans. They trust the leadership of Governor Walz, Mayor Frey and Mayor Carter during this critical time and offer support as Minnesotans rebuild communities after the destruction of these past few days.

Their future depends on how well they care for each other and how courageous they are in their willingness to fight for justice for all. They are hurt, are sad and also angry. But they let channel that energy constructively to remember the sacrifice of George Floyd and many others before him.
IAM sent condolence letter to the Floyd family stating, that “On Thursday evening, June 4, 2020, the South Asian community held a silent vigil to honor the memory of George Floyd and to attest to solidarity with the African American and all minorities in striving to correct the social injustices prevalent in the United States and around the world. The silent vigil was held at the memorial site at 38th St. & Chicago Ave. Unity & Solidarity for George Floyd.”

open letter to Community : 

IAM is a co-signor of the Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL) Open Letter to Community:
A call for unity and solidarity in the face of violence.
May 29, 2020

“Dear Community,
Earlier this week, George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was murdered by the Minneapolis police. George Floyd’s death is a continuation of the long history of criminalization, dehumanization, and oppression of Black lives in this country since its founding. As immigrants and refugees to the U.S., our families may not always understand this history, but we inherited its legacy. Our communities have also benefited from Black freedom struggles that paved the way for our own fights for freedom and equal treatment in America. So, in this moment, it matters that we commit to Black liberation and raise our voices to say that #BlackLivesMatter. We emphatically call on our Asian communities to center George Floyd’s life and continue to amplify the demands from his family and community for justice.”

They also took an initiative to send a letter to Governor and Mayor saying that IAM is saddened by the incident and is there for all. They are ready to support. They are also discussing with other Minnesota-based groups about possible proactive long-term initiatives to support the Black community in Minnesota.
They sent the following letter to the Governor Tim Walz, and Mayor Jacob Frey.
Dear Authority,
The India Association of Minnesota (IAM) on behalf of the Asian Indian community in Minnesota, is deeply saddened by the outrageous killing of George Floyd by members of the Minneapolis Police Department. We stand in solidarity with you, the City of Minneapolis, and all the citizens of Minnesota in condemning this abhorrent behavior and the racism underlying it in the strongest possible terms. Please know that the entire Asian Indian Community in Minnesota stands for “Justice for George Floyd“. The events of the past few days have been a stark reminder of the systemic racism that still pervades our country. They have also provided us with an unvarnished view of the anger and the despair felt by the people of color who have been subjected to extreme injustice for over 300 years. Our inaction makes us complicit in this injustice. We know it does not suffice to only express outrage. We must work alongside our brothers and sisters of color to confront and change the attitudes and policies that have compounded the inequities over such an extended period. The Asian Indian Community in Minnesota offers its deep and enduring support to you, to the City of Minneapolis, and to Minnesota as we move forward in the process of healing and rebuilding trust. Within our own community, we have initiated honest conversations to confront our own attitudes and prejudices and are working on educational initiatives to raise awareness of the Civil Rights movement, its history, and its influence on policies that opened doors to immigration. We are also in discussions with other Minnesota-based groups about possible proactive long-term initiatives to support the Black community in Minnesota. We are aware that much hard work lies ahead as the cities and states strive to change laws, reform police departments, and construct an environment that fully recognizes and respects our fellow citizens of color. Our community is energized and anxious to work with you to achieve these long-overdue goals. Please let us know how we can contribute.

Brief Background of the Case :

George Floyd was an African American. He purchased something from a convenient store. A clerk working at the store found the $20 bill that George gave him to be suspicious. He had a doubt on him and hence he called the cops. The cops arrived as he was leaving the store and arrested him. George had some heart issues so he fell down and the cops called the hospital. Till the ambulance arrived the cop held him. He pressed his neck with his knee and by the time help arrived George’s soul left his body.

The police arrested George on suspicion of a fake note. This whole incident took place on 25th May 2020 and people are protesting against this violent act since 26th May 2020. They are protesting for rights. They want that the 4 cops should be arrested and should be taken accountable for what they did. A strict action should be taken against those cops.

This is a complex issue. Many such incidents against black people and people of color have taken place in the past. The 4 officers involved in crime have now been fired, arrested, and charged. People are demanding for structural reforms that address social and racial inequities in the society.”

This is what Mr. Sreeni shared with us.

Further we interacted with Mr. Ram Gada. He said, “Killing of George Floyd by the police officer of the hand cuffed helpless human being urging for breadth in the presence of other three policemen in bright daylight on a public street in presence of the public was an act of premeditated racial violence by the powerful police department of Minneapolis.
African Americans have been discriminated since last 400 years when they were brought from Africa as slaves. We thought this mindset of color will be erased with Civil Rights bills in 1965 and an election of the black president Obama in 2008.
But this has proven hollow promise with injustices and inequalities faced daily by the African Americans, Native American and other minorities. These discriminatory practices are imbedded into housing, banking, police departments, schools, etc. even in 2020.
This incident and resulting protests all around USA and World have given the opportunity to eradicate the systemic injustices and inequalities. It is the responsibility of every citizen and communities to cure this CANCER OF COLOR AND RACISM now and forever. It will require lots of work to change the laws. Remember, WE ARE ALL ONE, interconnected and interdependent on each other. I like to see USA put the beautiful and humane ideal in reality.”
He ended his word by saying, “Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness is for everyone; regardless of color, race, gender, religion, or nation of origin.”