Gwinnett County, Ga., (April 24, 2020) – Today, the Gwinnett African American Caucus released the following statement on Gov. Kemp’s decision to reopen the state for non-essential businesses.
“The Gwinnett County African-American Caucus strongly opposes Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to re-open various non-essential businesses in the state, beginning today, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
We are dismayed that Gov. Kemp has taken this action in light of the continuing increase in the numbers of confirmed cases in the state as well as the unabated rise in deaths, particularly in the state’s African-American community. According to an April 20, 2020 article in Politico, in 47% of the state’s cases, race and ethnicity is unknown. However, of the remaining cases, African Americans make up 27% of the cases and 54% of COVID-19 deaths. It is apparent this pandemic has had a disproportionately destructive impact on the state’s African American population, compared to other racial and ethnic groups. And the decision to re-open these generally non-essential businesses– in the absence of sufficient testing, effective therapies or a vaccine–will result in even more illness and death among the African-American population in the state and in Gwinnett County.
We implore Gov. Kemp to use wisdom, reconsider and then rescind this dangerous decision that could have dire consequences.”
###
The Gwinnett African American Caucus urges you to use your best judgement and continue to stay home to protect yourselves and your families. In support of our stance, please visit NAAN to read more on the stances from Black Civil Rights leaders and clergy.
Gwinnett African American Caucus 