MAY 27, 2020 – The leaders of the five National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities, namely: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., with approximately 1 million college educated men, have all individually and collectively spoken out against what
we believe are the unlawful killings of unarmed Black people by law enforcement and civilians alike over the years.
The newly released graphic video of a police officer kneeling on the neck of unarmed George Floyd that resulted in his death after he and other civilians repeatedly told the officer he could not breath should stir outrage among all Americans.
Today, we call for the filing of criminal charges and the immediate arrest of all the officers involved in this killing, including Derek Chauvin whose knee was seen on the neck of Mr. Floyd, the three other responding MPD officers involved in the murder of Mr. Floyd, and a formal investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and/or The Federal Bureau of Investigation. This must end now.
Our prayers and hearts are with the family and friends of George Floyd, and anyone else, of conscience, who is struggling to come to grips with this shocking and unnecessary loss. While we too mourn this loss, we refuse to remain silent and will continue to fight and advocate for equal justice for the communities we represent.
The five NPHC Fraternity leaders include: Everett B. Ward, Ph.D., General President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Reuben A. Shelton, III, Esq., Grand Polemarch, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; David Marion, Ph.D., Grand Basileus, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Micheal E. Cristal, International President, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and Andre Manson,
Grand Polaris, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.