OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Dear OPRF Chamber Members And The Broader Business Community

By Press release submission

Jun 7, 2020

Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on June 6.

Historically, Oak Park has been at the forefront of racial diversity, deliberately embracing integration and rejecting racial discrimination since the 1960’s. In the wake of recent events, the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce stands united and condemns in the strongest possible terms any judgment of people that is not grounded solely in the content of a person's demonstrated character.

We are outraged by not only the continued misuse of lethal force but by the troubling legacy of police brutality and racial injustice in America. Most recently this is represented by the homicide of George Floyd by three former Minneapolis Police Officers who held him under their knees while one watched. We believe the actions of those former officers is inconsistent with the oath all Police Officers take to “protect AND serve” their communities.

We are angry and upset about the recent confrontation that happened at the Jewel Osco in River Forest. We commend the River Forest Police Department for swiftly dealing with the situation. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction in healing racial injustice.

Comprehensive reforms are necessary in order to achieve the true equality for all that is so often spoken about but yet to be realized. That includes our Government that makes the laws, our Judiciary and Police Departments responsible for enforcing those laws, and our businesses who operate under those laws. The OPRF Chamber of Commerce embraces our place within that process and pledges to responsibly work toward bringing an end to racism and discrimination in our community.

We welcome all people into our organization who value and celebrate the diversity of our local business community and the residents who patronize them. We believe through the strength and love in, and for, Oak Park and River Forest, we will emerge from these challenging times an even better community based upon peace and justice for all.

Original source can be found here.