Statement on the death of George Floyd from BGCNEO president and CEO Jeff Scott and Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance Board Chair Kevin Griffin

We are outraged and deeply saddened by the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement officers. This incident and others involving Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Christian Cooper, Tamir Rice and others will leave lasting scars on the youth and young adults we serve. It is our responsibility to help young people make sense out of the world, even when violence and injustice is all too apparent. It is also our responsibility to ensure our collective response to this situation is peaceful and leads to change.
Too many of our families encounter injustice on a daily basis, and extreme cases like the one involving George Floyd loudly call out the need to dismantle systemic racism, ultimately ensuring the safety and dignity of all people. We intend to be part of the dismantling. Our mission through Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance is to serve young people and prevent violence in our communities. We will continue that mission with haste, purpose, and in a way that honors George Floyd and all victims of injustice.
We can all do better. We must do better.
We will hold a peaceful vigil to honor the lives and protest the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and Sandra Bland at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 5 at a location to be determined. Please email    for more information.
Jeff Scott, president and CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio
Kevin Griffin, board chair
Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance