Like many of you, I am reeling from the death of Daunte Wright, who was killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Minnesota on Sunday, April 11.

Daunte was only 20 years old, a new father. That his death occurred just a few miles from where George Floyd was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin only compounds the grief.

There are no words that can adequately describe this tragedy, particularly as we have seen incidents like this occur again and again in the United States as well as here in Canada. But I am grieving this senseless act of police brutality that has stolen another Black life, and stand in solidarity with all who protest this injustice and violence.

For those who have the means to do so and would like to support Daunte’s family and his young son, a GoFundMe has been created for them. Additionally, the Minnesota Freedom Fund is posting bail for individuals who are arrested while protesting the injustice of Daunte’s death.

Here in Vancouver, I urge you to follow and support Black Lives Matter Vancouver, which leads vital efforts to address systemic racialized violence in our own community.

Yours,

Gillian Siddall
President + Vice-Chancellor
Emily Carr University of Art + Design