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ZERO TO THREE Statement on Chauvin Verdict

Advancing racial equity is essential to supporting all infants and toddlers

Following the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd, ZERO TO THREE, the country’s leading early childhood development nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life, issued the following statement.

ZERO TO THREE Executive Director Matthew Melmed stated:

“Like so many others, we are relieved that justice was served in this case. Not only was the murder of George Floyd a tragedy, it was an avoidable tragedy that is all too common in our country. Despite the outcome of this case, we know that there are countless others who will never see justice. We must charge ahead to ensure that our babies and toddlers do not grow up in a society where their parents fear having them go out their own front door.

“More than half of America’s babies are children of color. And the insidious impact of racism affects their lives even before birth. Each and every one of us must embrace the changing portrait of our nation’s babies and commit to ending the racism that plagues not only them, but ourselves as well.

“Our mission at ZERO TO THREE is to provide every baby with a strong start in life. To do that, we must address the structural racism that creates huge economic and social disparities in our country so that where, and to whom, a baby is born does not determine their future.

“We must address and rip out the scourge of racism from our society root and stem. Today’s verdict must be a call for all of us to rededicate ourselves to this cause. We must work together to make this a better world for babies.”

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