4.17.21 – The Deaths of Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo

Saturday, April 17, 2021

APFA condemns the recent murders of Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo and extends condolences to the victims’ families. These two young men join the alarming number of Black and Brown people killed by police.

Daunte Wright, a 20-year old father, was shot to death on April 11th after a traffic stop by Brooklyn Center, Minnesota police officer Kim Potter, who claimed she intended to deploy her taser but mistakenly shot him to death with her handgun. The killing took place only twenty minutes from where Derek Chauvin is on trial for the murder of George Floyd. Floyd’s girlfriend Courtney Ross, who testified in the trial, was one of Daunte’s former teachers.

Adam Toledo, who was only 13 years old, was shot and killed by Chicago Police Officer Eric Stillman after a foot chase on March 29th. The graphic body camera video of the shooting was released on April 15th, during the murder trial of Derek Chauvin.

Last month, at the APFA Annual Convention, the Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution creating the first-ever APFA Diversity & Inclusion Committee. This Committee will promote diversity and equity at APFA, at American Airlines, and throughout the communities in which we reside. APFA has a clear responsibility to protect and promote diversity, and there is much work to accomplish.

As Union Leaders, we must stand up against racial injustice in any form. We grieve these senseless killings, vow to do our part to combat systemic racism, and commit to uplifting the voices of our Black and Brown members.

Standing side-by-side with all of you in Solidarity,