A Special Statement from the AAS High Energy Astrophysics Division

The High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society condemns racist violence against Black Americans and, especially, the recent horrific deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.  We condemn acts of violence directed at protesters exercising their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble to protest injustice. We stand firmly committed to and in support of all those in our community, especially our Black and non-majority members, who have suffered from the effects of implicit and explicit acts of racism and violence.   It is the guiding principle of our Division, and the Society to which we belong, to work to ensure that all our members, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and families can live and prosper in a community free of any form of discrimination or harassment.  Those of us in positions of privilege recognize our responsibility and power to eliminate bias and discrimination based on racial, gender, ethnic, orientation, and religious differences.  We strongly affirm the AAS President's statement,  and as she said, "Let us reach out to each other, really see one another, and together build a better and more equitable world.” We issue this statement to reaffirm our commitment to all HEAD members from underrepresented groups, and extend our support to anyone struggling in this moment. Please reach out to the HEAD leadership with any concerns or ideas that can strengthen our community in support of these efforts.

Signed,

Dr. Fiona Harrison, Chair
Dr. Randall Smith, Vice-Chair
Dr. Robert Petre, Past Chair
Dr. Frits Paerels, Treasurer
Dr. Michael Corcoran, Secretary
Dr. Gabriela Gonzalez, Committee Member
Dr. Laura Brenneman, Committee Member
Dr. Alexander van der Horst, Committee Member
Dr. Erin Kara, Committee Member
Dr. Eileen Meyer, Committee Member
Dr. Ryan Hickox, Committee Member

For the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society