CRA President and CEO Rachel Michelin Issues Statement on George Floyd Demonstrations in California
Sacramento, CA – June 01, 2020 – California Retailers Association President Rachel Michelin issued the following statement in response to the George Floyd demonstrations in California.
This past weekend was a difficult one for California and the rest of the country. But in the midst of destruction, there were signs of hope in scenes of communities across the state coming together to clean up broken storefronts, neighbors supporting one another with hugs and prayers and the beginnings of conversations on how to rebuild and repair – not just stores and businesses, but relationships and trust.
The past weeks and months have not been easy for Californians, but Californians are up to the task. Likewise, California retailers have risen to the challenge by protecting their customers and employees as we navigate COVID-19. Retailers have ensured Californians have access to food and medication, donated supplies to state and local emergency services and first responders and have been an active resource for policy makers as we look to safely re-open California’s economy. We were beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel as counties started to relax stay-at-home orders and malls and businesses welcomed consumers back into their stores.
That all changed, however, with the senseless death of George Floyd. Mr. Floyd’s death was avoidable and wrong, not only resulting in shattered buildings and violence on the streets of California, but shattered trust, confidence, and relationships at a time when Californians need them most.
California Retailers are proud of the diversity and inclusiveness of our industry. We are proud of how retail supports our state and local communities. We are proud to be part of the backbone of so many neighborhoods – supporting local charities and programs that benefit all of California. We are here, ready to work with Governor Newsom, the State Legislature, local leaders, and communities throughout California to begin the process of healing and rebuilding.
California is our home, home to our consumers and our employees. Together we can move past not just the COVID-19 virus, but the virus of hate and division.
The California Retailers Association is the only statewide trade association representing all segments of the retail industry including general merchandise, department stores, mass merchandisers, restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets and grocery stores, chain drug, and specialty retail such as auto, vision, jewelry, hardware and home stores. CRA works on behalf of California’s retail industry, which currently operates over 400,000 retail establishments with a gross domestic product of $330 billion annually and employs over 3 million people—one fourth of California’s total employment.
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