We are heartbroken over the senseless death of Mr. George Floyd. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends at this blatant lack of concern and care for another human being from one of our police officers. Let this be the last tragedy of an unarmed black man.

We grieve with the African American community and now the business owners devastated by the violence in our cities. We are grateful for the peaceful demonstrations of free speech telling leaders what needs to change. We understand the frustration and anger but call for an end to the violence and destruction that further traumatize our neighborhoods and our children.

Beginning with criminal justice, all systemic racism in personnel and policies that keep our African American neighbors living in fear must be eradicated. Racism in all other systems in our state must also be addressed until real transformation has been achieved.

The Sauer Family Foundation remains committed to our work to transform a Child Welfare System that disproportionally removes children from African American and Native American families. We are committed to addressing the racial inequities in our education system and increasing the number of teachers and leaders of color.

We need to work together until each one of the systems in Minnesota has been transformed; until African Americans and all people of color in our state know they are accepted, safe, and free from injustice.

– Trustees and Staff, Sauer Family Foundation