I wish to recognize the painful and unjust history of systemic racism in this country, predating even its founding and continuing through slavery to the present day. The killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others have shed fresh light on a system that has long oppressed communities of color in America.

Black Lives Matter. We, the members of the University of Iowa College of Law Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and the Black Law Students Association, write this statement in support of those directly and indirectly suffering from the consequences of racism and inequality.