At this pivotal point in our country’s history, the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters is proud to stand with our brothers and sisters across this great state and nation and say, black lives matter! Racism, bias, and intolerance must end if we are to achieve what is described in our Declaration of Independence “ … that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
As human beings, we must be open to having tough conversations, to working together to find the common ground that helps us resolve issues, and to always be respectful of others regardless of their position.
Although we hear the voices, read social media posts, and see the images on television, we must do better to truly understand the message being sent. We must take time to educate ourselves on the foundational issues of racial profiling and inequality that face many of our community members and look within to confront our own biases.
The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters welcomes the opportunity to work with the various groups that represent the black men and women of our state. We want to find a way to end the injustices that afflict so many each day.
We can do better – we will do better. Stay Safe – Stay Strong – Stay Union