On June 10, 2020 Boston Teachers Union passed the following resolution.

Resolution for Building an Anti-racist Union

WHEREAS, the Boston Teachers Union is an organization that believes in serving our students, schools, communities, and the teachers, school nurses, psychologists, guidance counselors, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers that work in them of every race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and ethnicity.

WHEREAS, the Boston Teachers Union is “united against all forms of prejudice and bigotry that would seek to devalue the lives or liberties of our students, families or colleagues.”

WHEREAS, “In Massachusetts, during the 2012-2013 school year, black students received 43 percent of all out-of-school suspensions and 39 percent of expulsions, despite making up less than 9 percent of students enrolled.”

WHEREAS, institutionalized racism has allowed for and continues to allow for the systematic oppression of Black people in this country on a daily basis.

WHEREAS, 1011 have been shot and killed by police in the last year as of May 19, 2020, according to the Washington Post Police Shooting Database, not including those who have died in custody. 

WHEREAS, 4 police officers participated in the death of George Floyd on May 25th, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A white police officer named Derek Chauvin kneeled on Mr. Floyd’s neck for over 8 minutes while Mr. Floyd begged for his life. Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Keung, helped in restraining Mr. Floyd and watched this act of violence.

THEREFORE, As an union it is imperative that we act for equity and the empowerment of marginalized communities. 

THEREFORE, as educators and union members that support students and families, we recognize the need to fight racial bias, discrimination, wrongful punishment, and the abuse of Black and Brown people in and out of schools, especially at the hands of police officers who are meant to serve communities. 

THEREFORE, the Boston Teachers Union mourns and condemns the killing of George Floyd along with countless other Black people who have been killed by police and white supremacists, such as Breonna Taylor, Dontre Hamilton, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, Philando Castile. 

THEREFORE, the Boston Teachers Union supports the arrest of Derek Chauvin and calls for the immediate arrest of the 3 other police officers, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Keung, involved in the death of George Floyd and the appropriate conviction of said officers thereafter. 

THEREFORE, the Boston Teachers Union calls for a full and independent investigation into the death of George Floyd and calls for justice. 

THEREFORE, the Boston Teachers Union calls for the Minneapolis Police Department to use de-escalation techniques and to end violent tactics used against peaceful, unarmed, protestors. 

THEREFORE, the Boston Teachers Union calls for the immediate and independent investigation of the Minneapolis Police Department, as well as the establishment of an on-going, independent, and community led oversight committee for the MPD.

Based on similar letters and resolutions from the AFSCME Local 3800, Milwaukee Teachers Education Association,  and ATU Local 1005.