Open Letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

June 23, 2020

His Excellency Secretary General António Guterres:

Please accept my esteemed respect and profound regards.

I avail this opportunity as a global citizen to seek your attention towards an urgent issue that has been a condition on our society throughout history - racisms against Black people.

The issue is currently at the global forefront as attested by the anti-Black racist uprising around the world.

The United Nations and its members need to use the unique power they hold to take immediate action to repair the atrocities against Black people. This includes atonement, and paving a new path of equality and justice for the future of a better humanity.

That being said, and in allyship with the Black Lives Matter movement, I kindly request the immediate proclamation of an international day of observance: May 25 - International Black Lives Matter Day by the United Nations.

May 25 would honor George Perry Floyd Jr., a man who was killed on this day by four police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, and all the Black lives lost to senseless violence throughout history. The voice of the Black community throughout the world can no longer be suppressed and ignored by non-Black people. It is of utmost importance that the United Nations acknowledge the existence of systemic racism and commit to supporting its eradication.

As stated on your website, ‘The United Nations observes designated days, weeks, years, and decades, each with a theme, or topic. By creating special observances, the United Nations promotes international awareness and action on these issues.  The majority of observances have been established by resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, although some have been designated by UN specialized agencies.  The United Nations also observes anniversaries of key events in its history’.

By the United Nations declaring this observance day, it would establish clear solidarity with the “Black Lives Matter” movement, and continue the global effort to counter systemic discrimination allowing other organizations to follow suit.

Respectfully,

Simone Marcantonio