City of St. Cloud employees will gather today at noon to hold 8:46 of silence in honor of in remembrance of George Floyd’s murder. Here is a letter from St. Cloud City Manager Bill Sturgeon to city employees on why the memorial is important:

 

During the last three months we have been tried both personally and professionally. We have faced an unprecedented pandemic and are now facing the much needed amplification of the scourge of racial injustice against our fellow citizens. As I reflected on the implications of these difficult times, I am reminded of a document that we as Americans hold dear to our hearts, The Constitution of The United States of America and The Preamble of one of the most revered documents in World history:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The Preamble of the Constitution of the United States starts with the words “WE THE PEOPLE,” which in my interpretation means ALL OF US and that there is no room for injustice in our society in any form or manner. I do not share this lightly, nor do I see it as a cliché. It is our obligation as American Citizens that we uphold the core values of liberty and justice for ALL.

The Death of Mr. George Floyd is abhorrent and an American tragedy that we must never forget.  We must stand up for what is right and stand against the wrongs that will plague our growth as a people and a nation.  Therefore on Monday June 8, 2020, I am asking our employee team members to meet in front of City Hall at noon to hold a moment of silence for eight minutes and forty six seconds (8:46) in remembrance of Mr. George Floyd. Mr. Floyd did not deserve to die in such a horrific manner, nor does any other human being.

In closing, we can and must be better than this and as a work family; we should strive to do more for each other and our community to end racial inequity and injustice. We must also believe others who reveal experiences that are different than ours. I also do not believe in just using words to soothe frustrations or in not taking action. Therefore, I am directing our Human Resources and Risk Management to research best practices and development strategies in cooperation with our employees to create a more equitable and inclusive work environment.

I value each of you as a team member and more importantly as a person.

Sincerely,

Bill
City Manager