Our mission at Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) is removing barriers, promoting choices. The Centers for Independent Living came about as a result of the struggle and pain of the civil rights era and the newly established civil rights laws from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. We are deeply anguished and troubled by the death of George Floyd by law enforcement in Minneapolis Minnesota.
Our hearts are filled with prayers for Mr. Floyd and his family. We acknowledge the current and historical injustices experienced by the African American community, by all diverse communities, by people with disabilities and all whose rights have been denied. We join our hope and our work, with the hope and work of all who seek that as a society, we become a more just, equitable and civil society.
Throughout my career I have worked on advancing the quality of life of marginalized people, social justice, equity, educational advancement and economic development for diverse communities, recruitment of diverse and women candidates for Minnesota’s Judicial Selection Commission, independent living for people with disabilities and ultimately the ability of people to care for one another.
We live in a time in which affirm these truths to be self-evident, that we all are made in the image and likeness of a Supreme Being and we are therefore endowed with the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We remain committed to fully realize our mission of MCIL and that our work, our hope and our concerns may also contribute to the greater good in advancing freedom, safety and fairness for all as a civil society, so that ultimately we contribute to advancing the ability of people to care for one another.
In this moment we affirm the need for healing, of care for all and of hope in realizing a better future for all.
Sincerely
Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA
Executive Director
Metropolitan Center for Independent Living
530 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55101
