Rain Barrel Stands against Racist Violence, Supports Peaceful Protest

Photo by Xena Goldman

Rain Barrel Communications stands with the peaceful anti-racist protesters demonstrating across the United States in the wake of the horrific killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis – the latest in a long chain of police murders of African-Americans and an example of the culture and structures of racism in this country.

We are non-partisan as a company but not neutral. As Desmond Tutu said: "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." Our tagline describes our mission and our values: Speaking the Language of Sustainability and Social Justice. That is why we join our voices to the international chorus of outrage demanding accountability for the death of George Floyd and other victims of police brutality.

There is no "military solution" to this crisis; violence is not the answer. Our other concern, as we address COVID-19 in our work around the world, is that the pandemic could spike amidst the protests and repression, and we call on protesters and authorities alike to take all necessary precautions to prevent new surges of coronavirus.