The Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law (OCCDL) is a collaborative effort of professionals from leading Orange County law firms and other community partners committed to achieving cultural diversity in recruiting and retaining law students and attorneys in Orange County.
We are deeply saddened by the recent disturbing events that remind us of the injustices that have plagued—and continue to plague—our Black community. OCCDL condemns racism, xenophobia, and police brutality in all its forms, including against all Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). As an organization committed to achieving cultural diversity in Orange County, we cannot and will not stay silent. We stand with our members, affinity organizations, and millions of individuals in mourning the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, questioning a heartbreaking cycle, reliving past tragedies, and speaking out against racial injustice.
Among our members and as an organization, we have discussed bias and its ramifications. Colleagues and friends have shared their experiences of being targeted, stereotyped, and marginalized. OCCDL started the Social Justice Impact Litigation Series this year to increase awareness, promote active listening, and encourage discussion on issues impacting our diverse communities. These are not easy topics, but we must address them. We strive to do our part to fight against racist behaviors that threaten the health and safety of all Americans. We urge policymakers and other community leaders to join us in promoting racial equality, condemning the fomenting of violence, divisiveness, and bias that have no place in our community, and changing this broken record.
Let us build on our shared humanity with unity and support, and strengthen our connections and respect for one another.
As concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak intensify at the local, national, and international levels, OCCDL and its members join other law firms and organizations in denouncing the increasing incidents of xenophobia, racism, and violent attacks against Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander groups across the nation. Indeed, we denounce any of these actions against any diverse group and are saddened to see the increase in attacks against those of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.
United, we stand ready to do our part in fighting against these behaviors which threaten the health and safety of all Americans. We urge policymakers and other community leaders to join us in promoting racial equality and in condemning the fomenting of violence, divisiveness, and bias that have no place in our community.
We are all in this together.