“We believe that the conviction of George Floyd’s murderer is another step on the path toward accountability for any individual who would harm or kill another. The conviction will not make the community and Mr. Floyd’s family whole for his death. Nor will the conviction correct a system designed to disenfranchise marginalized communities.

We believe the long-term goal must be radical reform of our nation’s policing. VONA stands in solidarity with the movement for Black lives and every individual or organization working toward these reforms. Our goal is a nation in which no one ever again suffers the fate of Mr. Floyd.

VONA believes that writing and art can serve in the fight for social justice and we urge all our writing community to continue to speak out and write about these issues.”

— VONA Board of Directors

M. Evelina Galang, President; David Mura, Secretary; Maurice Carlos Ruffin, Treasurer;

Stacie Evans; Samuel Autman; Yaniyah Pearson; Connie Pertuz Meza