The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has been growing across the country and world since its inception in 2013.  The catalyst for this movement was the acquittal of 17-year old Trayvon Martin’s murderer.  Three Black women: Patrisse Khan-Cullors; Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi, activists, organizers, writers, and community leaders joined to co-found “this Black-centered political will and movement building project”.  BLM’s mission is to "build local power and to intervene when violence is inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. It is a call to action in response to state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism.”

On May 25, 2020 during the global pandemic, the death of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer, and the recent deaths of other Black women and men resulted in ever increasing unrest and elevated the Black Lives Matter movement to an international movement. 

In response to this movement and calls from local Black community members and leaders and their allies to act, the City of Langley Council adopted this resolution on July 6, 2020. 

The Dismantling System Racism (DSR) Advisory Group is now being formed and Council is seeking interested volunteers.  Two Council members, Craig Cyr and Christy Korrow, and staff member, Brigid Reynolds, are tasked with forming and supporting the group.  The intent is that the working group will endeavor to support Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), people who have mental illness, mobility limitations, and people who identify as LGBTQ+.   

The DSR Advisory Group will be 50% People of color and 50% white allies. Interested parties should send their application to Craig Cyr - council4@langleywa.org by August 4.