Media Contact:
Joe Hui
Director of Communications
jhui@aplahealth.org
213.201.1342
4.20.2021
While today’s verdict may seem like justice, it is not. Justice would have been George Floyd never dying in the first place.
“It has been less than a year since the life of Mr. Floyd was ended beneath former police officer Derek Chauvin’s knee over 9 minutes and 29 seconds while in Minneapolis police custody. Mr. Floyd’s death rightfully sparked national outrage over police brutality and systemic racism.” said Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health. “Racism continues to be the public health issue of our time. There is no question that the number of police killings of civilians in the U.S. – who are disproportionately Black and other people of color – are the result of policies and practices that enable and even encourage police violence. APLA Health refuses to believe in a future that continues to allow this to happen. We demand Federal and State common-sense legislation that will combat police misconduct, excessive force, and racial bias in policing. For police officers to have the credibility to effectively do their jobs, they have to be accountable. No one should wake up and wonder if today is the day that they or a loved one dies at the hands of police.”
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APLA Health (formerly AIDS Project Los Angeles) restores dignity and trust within underserved communities by providing world-class LGBTQ+ empowering healthcare, HIV specialty care, food, housing, and other essential support services. Since our founding in 1983, APLA Health has remained steadfast in our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic in our lifetime. We operate eight Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) locations in Los Angeles County, serving more than 19,000 people annually, regardless of ability to pay. Our list of comprehensive services includes LGBTQ+ primary care, dental care, behavioral healthcare, HIV specialty care, and Out Here Sexual Health services (PrEP, STD screening & treatment, DoxyPEP, and PEP). For people with HIV, our wraparound support services include housing assistance through the Alliance for Housing & Healing and nutritional support via the Vance North Necessities of Life Program, the largest food pantry in the United States for people with HIV, distributing over 800,000 meals annually. APLA Health’s annual fundraisers include AIDS Walk LA — the world's first and oldest AIDS Walk — and Best in Drag Show. We are leaders in advocating for policy and legislation at the local, state and Federal levels that positively impact the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities. For more information, visit aplahealth.org.
