FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Laura Mecoy
(310) 546-5860
Laura@mecoy.net
VENICE FAMILY CLINIC STATEMENT ON THE PROTESTERS SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THE DEADLY ARREST OF GEORGE FLOYD
CEO Calls Racism a Public Health Problem; Calls for Equal Access to Health Care
LOS ANGELES – (June 1, 2020) – The following is a statement from Elizabeth Benson Forer, chief executive officer and executive director of Venice Family Clinic, a nonprofit community health center that provides comprehensive care to people in need, regarding the protesters speaking out about the deadly arrest of George Floyd.
“I mourn the death of George Floyd. I am aghast that his public murder by a Minneapolis police officer has not resulted in the arrests of all involved. All of us who live in Los Angeles County have witnessed the indiscriminate targeting of black and brown people by law enforcement, which often leads to wrongful arrest and sometimes death.
“We live in a country in which there is not ‘justice for all,’ and where we have not valued all the lives in our society for a very long time. Racism is a public health problem. This is evident in the documented health disparities among African Americans as well as recent statistics showing that African Americans are suffering a disproportionate share of illness and death from coronavirus. It makes sense, then, for health care to be part of the solution.
“We must work together to change the underlying causes of health inequities as we work to end the racism that persists in American society. It is our obligation to advocate for all our patients and for equal access to comprehensive health care. That includes equal access to housing, food, education, employment and all the many other necessities of a healthy life.
“George Floyd is gone, and nothing can bring him back. But we can honor him by continuing our steadfast pursuit of justice.”
About Venice Family Clinic
Venice Family Clinic is a leader in providing comprehensive, high-quality primary health care to people living in poverty. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Clinic has grown from a small storefront operation into one of Los Angeles’ leading community health centers, providing care to nearly 28,000 men, women and children annually through sites in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Inglewood and Culver City. The Clinic leads the way in providing comprehensive and integrated care by creating a one-stop health system that offers multiple services, often at the same locations and same time as primary care appointments. These services include dental care, substance use treatment, mental health services, vision screenings, child development classes, health education, prescription medications, domestic violence counseling, HIV services, street medicine for people experiencing homelessness and health insurance enrollment services. For more information, visit VeniceFamilyClinic.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.