Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community:
We are writing to express profound sadness about the fatal beating by police of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee, and the police brutality many have seen in the video released last night. Please join us as we keep the Nichols family and friends in our thoughts and prayers. We are deeply moved by the mother of Tyre Nichols who has courageously cautioned communities across the country to exercise restraint during the protests, while she is still grieving the loss of her son.
We condemn this senseless violence in the strongest terms and stand together in solidarity with our African American community and all of those impacted by the heinous conduct of the police resulting in Tyre’s death. We reaffirm our long-standing commitment to racial justice and diversity, equity and inclusion. As a University community we strive to live and educate about the Jesuit ideals of fostering community in diversity, being people for others and promoting a faith that does justice.
This devastating act is deeply troubling, and we recognize its impact on our University community, including the impacts on the physical and mental health of individual students, faculty and staff. If you need resources to support your emotional or mental well-being at this time, please visit our Every Hoya Cares online resource center.
Finally, we embrace our mission of cura personalis at Georgetown. Our community comes together in many ways, across our campuses, through programming in Campus Ministry and the Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service and many others as part of our collective commitment to ensuring that we remedy inequities and treasure our collective identities. We pray our collective action continues to influence our world during these turbulent times.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Kilkenny, Esq.
Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Mark Bosco, S.J., Ph.D.
Vice President for Mission & Ministry
Eleanor JB Daugherty, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs