Thread by @JoAnnPDX

Several days ago, a disturbing video surfaced of the killing of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery. Ahmaud was murdered over two months ago on February 23 in Georgia when he was chased and killed by two white men claiming they were conducting a citizen’s arrest for a burglary. 1/

Ahmaud was simply just going for a run, something he did frequently. I’m deeply saddened by Ahamaud’s murder and enraged by the amount of public pressure that was needed for the state of Georgia to act. 2/

How we move around has changed drastically due to COVID-19, and it has been abundantly clear that during a time of crisis, certain people are afforded much more privilege in how they can navigate spaces. 3/

In the past few wks we’ve seen groups of white people attending “reopening rallies”, congregating en masse, yelling at police officers, and even bringing weapons to intimidate lawmakers. Another video shows a park ranger pushed into a lake for explaining physical distancing. 4/

These individuals get to go home safely to their families after threatening the health and safety of others, while Ahmaud gets racially profiled, followed, and does not get to return to his family and friends.
During this pandemic, the disparities in treatment are stark. 5/

Warm weather arriving has many of us itching to go outside during the governor’s stay at home order, and many Portlanders have noted how difficult it has been to safely go on walks or bike rides when sidewalks and roads don’t allow for safe physical distancing. 6/

While transportation advocates (myself included) celebrate cities taking action to prioritize pedestrian and bicycling activity on certain streets, it remains clear to me that not everyone will benefit equally. I fully support PBOT’s Slow Streets Safe Streets project. 7/

I believe it's a crucial step to maintain safety for peds and bicyclists, and to encourage physical distancing. What I'm calling out are the data + stories of the differential treatment of people of color for doing things like walking or jogging in their own neighborhood 8/

No one deserves to be harassed or intimidated, let alone killed because of the color of their skin.

May Ahmaud rest in power. May he and his loved ones see justice somehow. Say his name. #irunwithmaud #justiceforahmaud #blacklivesmatter

🖼️credit: shirien.creates on Instagram: instagram.com/p/B_1OOjSAuOK/