Dealing with the Present- Shaping the Future

First and foremost, we repudiate and denounce the intractable racism that has led to the recent senseless deaths of Black people in this country – George Floyd, Nina Pop, and Ahmaud Arbery, only a few. 

GR3 International has enjoyed a long career working shoulder to shoulder with volunteers and victims of disasters from many different countries around the world. When the call for assistance goes out, there are no distinguishing characteristics of either the volunteers or the victims of disasters. We are all humans who are empathic and considerate of each other. Yes, there will be times that we do not agree on specific issues, but we have eternal hope in the process of respect, communication, and negotiation. However, there is zero-tolerance for agree, violence, bigotry, and hypocrisy. We realize there is still a lot of work to do to get to a place where we can practice respect, understanding, and the opportunity to live peacefully on our planet as humans.

As a result of a long-festering cancer of racism and prejudice, this hatred and perverted bigotry metastasized into a myriad of abuses (redlining, voter suppression, brutality, and the constant overt and covert attempts to spawn the subjugation of minorities). Theses are anathema to core /basic principles of humanity and justice.

GR3 International supports the proposition that every human being is a unique, precious person who must be treated equally.

In his report, “In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all” (A/59/2005), the Secretary-Genera (Antonio Gutteres) noted that “while freedom from want and fear are essential they are not enough. All human beings have the right to be treated with dignity and respect” (para. 27). Such dignity and respect are afforded to people through the enjoyment of all human rights and are protected through the rule of law.

It is a well-noted axiom that if we do not heed history, we are sure to repeat it. Therefore, As we continue to assist others at home in the USA and other places around the world, we continue to affirm and support the basic notion that everyone, everyone, must be treated with respect and dignity as human beings. In light of the recent tragic events leading to the death of George Floyd, black lives matter!