ALEXANDRIA, Va., (April 23, 2021)—The following statement can be attributed to National PTA President Leslie Boggs:

“This week, we witnessed yet another child of color lose their life at the hands of police. In the month of April alone, far too many children of color have been killed by law enforcement. And research shows that Black and Hispanic children are six and three times more likely to be shot to death by police than white children. National PTA condemns the continued inequities and injustices that have caused the violent deaths of Black and Brown men, women and children over the years at the hands of a percentage of police officers.

“While the verdict in the trial of police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd is a first step toward accountability, more must be done to create lasting change and end the problems of unequal justice and institutional and systemic racism that have existed for far too long.

"A founding purpose of National PTA is to promote safety for children and youth. Our association’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality. Therefore, we are united in raising our voices to address the ills of institutional racism. We are also dedicated to working to ensure more comprehensive guidelines and training are required on the use of force by law enforcement officers.

“We must unite to eliminate racism and injustices and build a better nation for our children’s future. Every child deserves to have every opportunity to reach their full potential in life, and every person deserves to enjoy the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans. PTA’s transcendent goal has always been to change the lives of children for the better, and we will continue to work to ensure our society values and protects every child.”

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.