ORDER ALSO HONORS ALL victims of racism, injustice, violence
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered state flags to fly at half staff through sundown June 5, to honor George Floyd and all other victims of systemic racism and police violence, who have been the subject of peaceful protests worldwide.
The order, effective immediately, coincides with a memorial service June 4 for Mr. Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn. Other services were planned for June 6 in Raeford, N.C., where some of his family lives, and June 8 in Houston, Tex., where he lived for many years.
“New Mexico grieves with the rest of the nation and the world over the unconscionable killing of Mr. Floyd as he begged for breath,” Lujan Grisham said. “We stand with his family and with all peace-loving people who refuse to tolerate racism any longer and who demand an end to violence against people of color, to systemic inequities and to intolerance and injustice in all its forms.”
Executive Order 2020-038 states, “The tragic and senseless killing of Mr. Floyd is sobering on its own. However, the circumstances surrounding his death are made even more urgent by the historical context of state-sponsored violence, racism, and systemic injustice that has been directed at people of color for hundreds of years throughout the United States.
“His death is further proof – although none was needed – that racism and injustice still persist today and continue to endanger and terrorize people of color …
“THEREFORE, I Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT that all state flags be flown at half-staff beginning at sundown on June 4, 2020 and lasting th[r]ough sundown of June 5, 2020. This action will serve to commemorate Mr. Floyd and to raise awareness about the long-standing, fundamental societal concerns that his death has highlighted.”
The governor most recently lowered state flags over Memorial Day weekend in honor of servicewomen and servicemen who have lost their lives and the hundreds of thousands — including several hundred in New Mexico — who have lost their lives this year as part of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
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