California Walks is committed to work in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement to defund the police, and demand an end to a multi-faceted war against the Black community. For years, Black scholars and transportation advocates have been addressing racism and white supremacy in planning, yet the active transportation field continues to be myopic in how to create safe streets and public spaces for everyone. The costs of that collective inaction have caused the loss of Black life, homes, neighborhoods, and entire communities. 

As a statewide organization, we recognize that we still have a lot to learn, unlearn, and undertake to actively combat anti-Blackness and white supremacy in community planning, active transportation, and mobility justice. As an all non-Black staff, we are committed to the following actions:

• Understand and acknowledge how we perpetuate and are complicit in anti-Blackness and white supremacy;

• Reconcile our shortcomings with concrete short-term and long-term actions that center, prioritize, and fund Black, Indigenous, communities of color; 

• Build genuine and lasting partnerships with intersecting organizations to create systems of care for queer, trans, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in a holistic way; 

• Seek funding that intentionally aligns with our values and our vision for safe and active streets that center BIPOC; and

• Create and implement anti-racist policies, practices, and programs organization-wide. 

The call to action is clear. The strategies and solutions to create safe streets have already been envisioned by:

• TransformHarm.org | A Resource Hub about Ending Violence 

• 8toAbolition 

• Movement for Black Lives 

Now is the time to envision and manifest our new realities. We must collectively build the foundations that give Black communities full control over their lives. Black lives matter today, tomorrow, and always.