NAPHN and its board have been horrified by the senseless murder of George Floyd, and the countless other persons of color who have received unjust treatment and lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement. We are filled with sorrow, outrage and grief at this senseless, unjust and avoidable loss of life. We extend our deepest sympathies to the black and brown members inside and outside our network. We urge you all to reach out to minority friends, colleagues and workers. We must recognize that these devastating blows are most often taken without pause, without counsel, and without outlet. Our community must offer an ear to listen and a shoulder to grieve upon as we stand in solidarity. Black lives do matter. 

As a community and as a society, we find ourselves in the midst of tremendous societal upheaval. Our world has been upended, not only by the Covid-19 pandemic, and this repeated exposure of the systemic racism embedded in our culture, but also by the looming reality of the climate crisis. We must now remake our world. This is a window and an opportunity for change.

We call on all members of our network to collaborate and support the systemic change necessary to craft a more just and equitable world – one that enables us ALL to live peacefully and sustainably within the bounds of our natural world. We invite each of you to send us any thoughts or recommendations on how to make NAPHN a more inclusive and supportive community. 

Vote. Speak Out. Choose Your Future. 

June 2, 2020