Governor, you acknowledged that injustices of racial discrimination are wrong. We want you to recognize that the implicit discriminatory bias that Renee suffered from the abrupt public termination and erroneous leaks to the media, national and local press defaming her character and reputation is wrong. Your administration systematically usurped  Renee’s fundamental responsibilities, authority, and lead as Commissioner. It defies logic that the Commissioner appointed by you and confirmed by the legislature, Public Health Commissioner did not have an essential part in addressing the greatest public health crisis in recent memory, COVID-19. She was robbed of the support needed by the administration to be fully successful; that’s discriminatory.

With her restricted capabilities to protect us from COVID-19, Renee was ahead of the curve, focusing on protecting the most severely impacted by COVID-19; working hard to initiate additional nursing home mitigation standards and mobile testing for the undeserved black and brown communities. Renee saved lives.

Renee has earned an exemplary reputation with well over 2 decades of Public Health Service and practice. Within those decades of practice, 22 years of that experience was dedicated to serving the residents of CT at the Department of Public Health.

Health disparities, specifically, in black and brown communities continue to be a prevalent problem. Silencing or blocking leadership of color in decision making processes is a huge injustice specifically when talking about COVID-19, where black and brown communities are impacted at a higher rate than other populations.

Governor, you stated Renee was a great deal of help during the COVID-19 crisis, so we fully expect you to do the right thing and redeem Renee as you agreed-upon. 

We the undersigned fully support "Redemption for Renee" in the form of the separation package you assured she would receive, including 12 month's salary, benefits and a letter of recommendation reflecting her 13 months of diligent service effectively addressing the multitude of public health crisis’s impacting ALL the residents of the state. Mitigating the erroneous leaks to the national and local press maligning Mrs.Coleman-Mitchell’s stellar reputation.