The Black Women’s Forum (BWF) and founder Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA-43rd District) announced ‘Standing in the Gap’ an intimate and engaging roundtable designed to honor Black mothers who have lost their loved ones to police brutality this Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at The Westin Hotel at LAX.
This program will bring together elected officials, community leaders, residents and several mothers who seek justice and demand answers for the lives lost to senseless violence.
Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother, Michael Brown’s mother Lesley McSpadden, Ezell Ford’s mother Tritobia Ford, Eric Garner’s mother Gwen Carr and Tamir E. Rice’s mother Samaria Rice are confirmed participants for ‘Standing in the Gap’ and will share their experiences with Waters as the moderator. These five mothers are just a few of the parents around the country who belong to a club that no one wants to join—they represent everyone who mourns the loss of unarmed loved ones.
“We are focused on supporting these mothers. Though these tragic losses may be out of the national news cycle, their stories are still very relevant and at the forefront of the Black Women’s Forum agenda”, said Beverly Davis, Black Women’s Forum president. “‘Standing in the Gap’ is just one aspect of BWF’s ongoing commitment to curb the police brutality and violence that has disproportionately affected the Black community”.
The mothers of these slain black men will be coming to Los Angeles participate in this luncheon and will use this platform to raise awareness. ‘Standing in the Gap’ is a forum for these women to connect and encourage one another to continue fight for equity in our communities.
Rep. Waters announced her support for ‘Standing in the Gap’ by stating, “It is time for our community to join together and heal. However, healing only comes when we can first connect with the mothers, uplift them, understand the path forward towards justice and stand together in solidarity. I am proud to be a part of this event and hope to encourage these mothers to remain outspoken so that we can prevent any future deaths at the hands of senseless violence.”
