Last week, all of us here at DSPolitical came together to learn from this critical movement in our country. As we worked to process the police violence in our communities, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team compiled a list of anti-racist resources and we made a donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Color of Change. We unequivocally stand with the protestors in the fight for racial justice, and we know it’s not enough. The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, and the hundreds of other victims of police brutality and racism prove we need to do more.

Here, in Washington, DC we’ve seen first-hand, protestors sprayed with tear gas, shot with rubber bullets, and worse. We’ve seen the National Guard and military forces with riot gear block the streets we walk daily. We’ve seen local nonprofits rally and organize in the face of insurmountable odds.

In his Medium post earlier last week, President Obama states “The elected officials who matter most in reforming police departments and the criminal justice system work at the state and local levels.”

We work every day to support Democratic candidates and progressive causes fighting to make our country more just. Even when it’s difficult, especially when it’s difficult.

Candidates of color today face vitriolic attacks on their country of birth, allegiances, and day-to-day lives. We believe in the importance of your vote. Not just for Presidential elections or Senate Seats but for your school board, city councils, and State legislatures. Every vote counts.

As staunch believers as we are in the power of voting, we are also however forced to acknowledge that voting alone isn’t enough. Minnesota is a predominantly blue state with a Democratic governor and a Democratic mayor in Minneapolis. Politics alone isn’t enough to stop white supremacy.

The protests and this movement that have expanded to over 584 cities and towns across all 50 states are what we need for change. The people who show up day after day to stand for Black lives are what we need for change.

And we’re proud to stand with them.

This is not the end of our work fighting for Black lives. We promise to all our partners, candidates, clients, and staff that we will actively continue to fight for racial justice, examine our own biases, and elevate Black voices.