Message to the Laurier community following the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd

April 21, 2021

Dear Laurier community,

George Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020, at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer triggered outrage and grief, expressed in mass protests around the world. Many in our university community shared their own lived experiences with racism and racial injustice. While yesterday’s guilty verdict in this case is a step toward justice, it is also a reminder of the continued work that we need to do in our own communities to combat systemic racism.

The past year has seen the Laurier community build a collective commitment to taking direct action, providing the necessary resources and infrastructure, holding ourselves and others accountable, and working toward racial justice.

There is much more work to do, and we are committed to building an academic community that recognizes the dignity and value of each and every one of its students, staff and faculty members.

Deb MacLatchy
President and Vice-Chancellor

Supports

If you are looking for support or would like to connect more personally, these resources are open to members of the Laurier community

For students:

• Office of the Dean of Students
• International Student Support
• Indigenous Student Services
• Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• The Office of Dispute Resolution

For staff and faculty:

• Email equity@wlu.ca
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Also see the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion section on Connect

Read more about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Laurier.