Dear Black Lives Matter Nashua and Manchester,
Thank you for writing to our office. We are reviewing the action items you put forward – several of which I support, several of which the newly established Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community, and Transparency will undertake over the next 45 days, and others which further discussion is merited.
Promoting social justice and racial equality in New Hampshire has been, and continues to be, a top priority of my administration.
We recognized the issue of inequality early on, which is why we established the Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion in 2017 to combat discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion. We established the first-ever Civil Rights Unit within the New Hampshire Department of Justice to prosecute hate crimes and discrimination.
In 2017, we signed the decriminalization of recreational marijuana-to ensure no one would be locked up for possessing small amounts of marijuana, because it was the right thing to do. For years, preceding Governors refused to take that commonsense step. Last year, I signed a bill to help fast-track annulments for those convicted of possession of marijuana prior to signing decriminalization.
In the immediate timeframe, we have also established the COVID-19 Equity Response Team to develop a recommended strategy and plan to address the disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized communities.
We have made strides, but more needs to be done. If we really want to be the Live Free or Die State, we must ensure that New Hampshire is a place where every person, regardless of their background, is welcomed, valued and has an equal and full opportunity to pursue their dreams and to make a better life for themselves and their families. We are committed to doing just that.
For decades, prior administrations failed to act. I am proud to say we have moved the ball forward these past few years, but there is still more work to do.
Keep in touch,
Christopher T. Sununu Governor