In the News
Statements from the Center for Civic Justice
Statement on the Morning After Election Day
November 4, 2020
As we begin our day today, on November 4, the next President of the United States has yet to be declared.
Nearly 100 million voters cast their ballots by mail, many of which have yet to be counted. Many individual states, and counties within states, will continue to review and count ballots in the hours, days, and weeks ahead.
It will take time.
That means our democratic process is working as intended.
Moving forward during this period of uncertainty, many of us will experience a range of emotions. This is completely understandable. We look forward to opportunities to engage with, support, and learn from each other. No matter the outcome, this is also an opportunity to reaffirm our community’s values of caring, respect, and civility.
Please also see a message from President Maurie McInnis, “A Moment for Clarity and Unity in Uncertain Times”, published on November 1, 2020.
You made your voices heard at the polls. Now, we wait for your voices to be counted.
Statement on the Murder of George Floyd
June 2, 2020
At the Center for Civic Justice, we work to protect not only eligible voters, but also our entire community, while combining the principles of civic engagement and social justice. In order to enact long term civic justice, we must defend democracy, condemn injustice, and enact legislation that creates a future you want to see and a society you want to live in and be part of.
The murder of George Floyd has momentarily brought the world’s attention to hundreds of years of systemic and institutional racism that persists in the United States. Our Center honors a history and legacy of confronting racism and protecting the voting rights of fellow Americans.
This is the legacy of the Andrew Goodman Foundation, named after the 20-year-old white male, Andrew Goodman, who was murdered for defending the rights of Black Americans to vote as part of the Freedom Summer Project of 1964. At the Center, we will continue our work to live and honor this legacy and ensure that the voices of Stony Brook University students are represented in all future elections.
Right now, there are four steps you can take suggested by the Andrew Goodman Foundation:
- Check in with your friends and community.
- Learn and understand the history of the United States and about your rights.
- Speak up when you recognize injustice, large and small.
- Register to vote, and educate and inform yourself about candidates and issues on the ballot before you go out and vote.
Please also see the message from Stony Brook University Interim President Michael Bernstein and President-Elect Maurie McInnis.