Our open letter to all U.S. Mayors and Governors
June 5, 2020This is a difficult time in the United States. Feelings of uncertainty, pain, fear and anger are prevalent following the killing of George Floyd, spilling over from years of pent-up frustration. Across the world, people are calling for systematic change – demanding racial equality, justice and meaningful action. Avison Young joins this chorus of voices.
Today we are asking you to advance reforms to address systemic racism at state and local levels in two critical areas: policing and the criminal justice system. Specifically, we ask that you:
- establish a duty to intervene policy to prevent excessive force by officers and require comprehensive reporting each time an officer uses force or threatens to do so;
- improve training, policies, and practices to reduce the use of force, including recurring implicit bias training for all law enforcement officers and training on methods to de-escalate conflict;
- establish independent investigative bodies, such as civilian review boards with disciplinary authority;
- insist upon collaboration with and inclusion of community stakeholders;
- address criminal justice system inequities, such as disparities in enforcement, sentencing and excessive punishment in court;
- help ensure pretrial reform by, among other things, limiting pretrial detention and eliminating money bail;
- provide re-entry support.
Just as Avison Young is calling on our state and local leaders to act, we remain committed to working toward change as well. Communities where humanity is seen in everyone are stronger, more vibrant places to live and work, and we know that public-private partnerships are central to tackling societal challenges.
As members of the commercial real estate industry, we have work to do within our own walls. We are asking questions. We are listening. To start, we are working closely with leaders across our organization to develop deliberate strategies that advance anti-racism and social justice, examining our own policies, and working to engage our employees on issues impacting people of color.
This is not quick work. But it is vital work. We at Avison Young condemn violence, bigotry and hate. We stand for justice for everyone. We believe Black lives matter.
At our company, we support each other. As a country, we must continue to support one another through education, peaceful action and meaningful reforms.
Because until all of us can breathe, none of us can breathe.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Rose
Chairman & CEO
Avison Young
Martin Dockrill
Global COO
Avison Young
Earl Webb
President, U.S. Operations
Avison Young
Keith Lipton
COO, U.S. Operations
Avison Young
Tom Morande
CFO, North America
Avison Young
And Avison Young’s U.S. Managing Directors
David Genovese |
Mark Evanoff |
Greg Morrison |
Steve Dils |
Jonathan Larsen |
David Fahey |
Corey Martin |
David Jewkes |
Brad Totten |
Chris Skibinski |
Ted Stratigos |
Thomas Aguer |
Danny Nikitas |
Donna Abood |
Damian McKinney |
Chris Livingston |
Michael Fay |
Gregg Von Thaden |
Scott Pickett |
Mark Evenson |
Randy Keller |
Greg Langston |
Tom Collins |
Chris Cooper
|
Marcy Moneypenny |
Jeff Heller |
Chris Fraser |
Jim Becker |
Nick Slonek |
Ken Lane |
Pike Rowley |
John Linderman |
Warren Smith |
Rand Stephens |
Nick Banks |
Arthur Mirante |
Bill Ehret |
Mitti Liebersohn |
Josh Peyton |
Ted Simpson |
Charlie Allen |
Sean Cahill |
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Keith Kropfl Managing Director, Orange County |
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