This is a difficult time in the United States. Feelings of uncertainty, pain, fear and anger are prevalent following the killing of George Floyd, spilling over from years of pent-up frustration. Across the world, people are calling for systematic change – demanding racial equality, justice and meaningful action. Avison Young joins this chorus of voices. 

Today we are asking you to advance reforms to address systemic racism at state and local levels in two critical areas: policing and the criminal justice system. Specifically, we ask that you:

• establish a duty to intervene policy to prevent excessive force by officers and require comprehensive reporting each time an officer uses force or threatens to do so;
• improve training, policies, and practices to reduce the use of force, including recurring implicit bias training for all law enforcement officers and training on methods to de-escalate conflict;
• establish independent investigative bodies, such as civilian review boards with disciplinary authority;
• insist upon collaboration with and inclusion of community stakeholders;
• address criminal justice system inequities, such as disparities in enforcement, sentencing and excessive punishment in court;
• help ensure pretrial reform by, among other things, limiting pretrial detention and eliminating money bail;
• provide re-entry support.

Just as Avison Young is calling on our state and local leaders to act, we remain committed to working toward change as well. Communities where humanity is seen in everyone are stronger, more vibrant places to live and work, and we know that public-private partnerships are central to tackling societal challenges.

As members of the commercial real estate industry, we have work to do within our own walls. We are asking questions. We are listening. To start, we are working closely with leaders across our organization to develop deliberate strategies that advance anti-racism and social justice, examining our own policies, and working to engage our employees on issues impacting people of color.

This is not quick work. But it is vital work. We at Avison Young condemn violence, bigotry and hate. We stand for justice for everyone. We believe Black lives matter.

At our company, we support each other. As a country, we must continue to support one another through education, peaceful action and meaningful reforms.

Because until all of us can breathe, none of us can breathe.

Sincerely,

Mark E. Rose
Chairman & CEO
Avison Young

Martin Dockrill
Global Chief Operating Officer
Avison Young

And Avison Young’s U.S. Managing Directors

David Genovese Managing Director, Arizona	Mark Evanoff Managing Director, Los Angeles – North	Greg Morrison Managing Director, Orlando
Steve Dils Managing Director, Atlanta	Jonathan Larsen Managing Director, Los Angeles – West	David Fahey Managing Director, Philadelphia
Corey Martin Managing Director, Austin	David Jewkes Managing Director, Las Vegas	Brad Totten Managing Director, Pittsburgh
Chris Skibinski Managing Director, Charlotte	Ted Stratigos Managing Director, Long Island	Thomas Aguer Managing Director, Sacramento
Danny Nikitas Managing Director, Chicago	Donna Abood Managing Director, Miami	Damian McKinney Managing Director, San Diego
Chris Livingston Managing Director, Cleveland	Michael Fay Managing Director, Miami	Gregg Von Thaden Managing Director, San Jose
Scott Pickett Managing Director, Columbus	Mark Evenson Managing Director, Minneapolis	Randy Keller Managing Director, San Mateo
Greg Langston Managing Director, Dallas	Tom Collins Managing Director, New England	Chris Cooper Managing Director, Southern California
Marcy Moneypenny Managing Director, Denver	Jeff Heller Managing Director, New Jersey	Chris Fraser Managing Director, South Carolina
Jim Becker Managing Director, Detroit	Nick Slonek Managing Director, Northern California	Ken Lane Managing Director, Tampa
Pike Rowley Managing Director, Florida	John Linderman Managing Director, North Carolina	Warren Smith Managing Director, Tennessee
Rand Stephens Managing Director, Houston	Mitti Liebersohn Managing Director, New York City	Arthur Mirante Managing Director, Tri-State
Bill Ehret Managing Director, Indianapolis	Charlie Allen Managing Director, Oakland	Josh Peyton Managing Director, Washington, D.C.
Ted Simpson Managing Director, Los Angeles – Downtown	Keith Kropfl Managing Director, Orange County	Sean Cahill Managing Director, Westchester