#BlackLivesMatter – It's not a trend
#BlackoutTuesday was definitely a start. The entertainment industry as a whole, as well as innumerable brands and celebrities, shut their socials down for a day in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and the protesters under attack across the US, in light of the recent murder of George Floyd. Their followers, in their millions, proceeded to post a hashtagged black square on their socials to show support.
Whilst it is true that it highlighted current events in the most immediate way; Instagram was devoid of all the usual stuff (aside from a few sponsored posts); we can collectively do a lot more. We’ve put together a selection of impactful ways in which you can actively help the Black Lives Matter movement:
DONATE
Parting with your cash is arguably the most direct means of supporting the cause. There are a number of crucial funds that are in need of donations both in the US and internationally. These include memorial funds to aid victims’ families, protestors’ bail and supplies funds for those on the frontline, grassroots community funds as well as international charities.
ORGANISATIONS
BLACK LIVES MATTER (US, Canada & UK based)
Founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murder, their mission is to “eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes”.
There is also a @UKBLM fundraising page here.
CAMPAIGN ZERO (US based)
Advocates for policy change focusing on ending police violence and holding them accountable. Their mantra is: “We can live in a world where the police don't kill people by limiting police interventions, improving community interactions, and ensuring accountability.”
STAND UP TO RACISM (UK based)
A campaign to fight the racist offensive sweeping across Europe and malignment of minority groups by governments, law enforcement, the right-wing media and vigilante groups. “We are the majority and we will stand up to racism.”
RECLAIM THE BLOCK (Minneapolis specific)
A grassroots fund specifically tackling a variety of community issues, from violence prevention and housing, to emergency mental health response teams. As they have been inundated with donations lately they are providing a list of other worthwhile causes that are in need of help here.
THE MARSHALL PROJECT (US based)
The Marshall Project is a fiercely independent nonprofit news organisation. Achieved through award-winning journalism, partnerships with news outlets and various public forums; their aim is to educate and raise awareness of the shortcomings of the US Justice System for minority groups in particular.
STOP HATE UK (UK based)
Founded in 1995 to support victims of racial abuse as direct response to the Stephen Lawrence trial. In 2006 they launched the Stop Hate Line as result of the subsequent inquiry to make it possible to report hate crime 24/7.
These are a few key organisations who virulently take a stand against racism and police violence, there’s an extensive list of both national and international organisations here.
VICTIM SUPPORT
THE OFFICIAL GEORGE FLOYD MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of George Floyd. Having raised an astounding $11.6m already, George Floyd’s sister, Philonise, has set up a GoFundMe to cover all associated funeral expenses, familial grievance counselling costs and court costs as well as ensuring care and an education for George’s daughter Gianna. You can also directly support his sister Bridgett Floyd and his daughter Gianna Floyd on their respective fundraising pages.
In memory of 26 year old ER technician Breonna Taylor, who was shot eight times by Louisville police on March 13th resulting in her death, this is a fundraiser to help fight for justice and police accountability.
David McAtee, affectionately known as “Yaya” and “The BBQ Man”, was a black restaurant owner who was fatally shot by authorities a long way from Kentucky protests and was unforgivably left on the streets for twelve hours afterwards. All funds donated go to his family and funeral costs.
Unfortunately there are countless instances wherein police violence and victimisation has needlessly led to deaths of people in BAME communities globally. There is an extensive list of fundraisers to help support their families whilst fighting for respective justice here.
PROTESTORS
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CAMP (US based)
Started by Colin Kaepernick in order to provide legal resources to those who’ve been arrested whilst fighting injustice on the frontline by employing top defence lawyers.
THE BAIL PROJECT (US based)
Having already provided bail for over 10,000 people, their mission is to “prevent incarceration and combat racial and economic disparities in the bail system”. 100% of online donations are used to bring people home.
THE NATIONAL BAIL FUND NETWORK (US based)
The Community Justice Exchange is an abolitionist organisation who “produce tools and resources for organisers using community justice tactics to creatively tackle multiple drivers of criminalisation and incarceration”.
THE NAACP (US based)
“The NAACP is at the forefront of the movement to build political power and ensure the wellbeing of communities of color.” All donations go towards ensuring the social, political, educational and economic rights of all persons whilst fighting racial discrimination.
BLACK PROTEST LEGAL SUPPORT UK (UK based)
This is a hub of lawyers and legal advisors providing legal support and advice for those involved in UK based BLM activism.
There are hundreds of ways in which you can provide support for protestors – or prepare yourself if you are planning to be actively involved in protests – you can find a comprehensive list here.
SIGN
There are literally hundreds of petitions popping up in response to the protests and political non-action – it’s very difficult to keep on top of but if you feel as though this list should be amended feel free to get in touch. Here are a few that we’ve singled out for now:
JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD – A push for justice; fire and charge all officers involved.
DEMAND JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD (AMNESTY INTL) – An Amnesty International backed petition for George Floyd.
RAISE THE DEGREE – Derek M Chauvin has been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter; it’s not enough.
**EDIT – This has been successful as we’ve all seen the mugshots. Derek Chauvin’s murder charge was raised to second degree murder and manslaughter. Officers Kueng, Lane and Thao have also all been arrested and charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder and manslaughter.
STOP THE SALE OF TEAR GAS & RUBBER BULLETS TO THE US – UK exports need to stop.
TEACH BRITISH CHILDREN ABOUT THE REALITIES OF IMPERIALISM & COLONIALISM – open the history books!
As we’ve said there’re hundreds of petitions – too many to list here – but there’s a more comprehensive list here.
EDUCATE
The first tool for tackling racism and prejudice is education. There is an abundance of educational resources on the subject of societal and systemic racism as well as historical context available to read and view, below is a very short list to start off.
BOOKS
Freedom Is A Constant Struggle (Angela Davis)
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race (Reni Eddo-Lodge)
The Fire Next Time (James Baldwin)
Men We Reaped (Jesmyn Ward)
They Can’t Kill Us All (Wesley Lowery)
Beloved (Toni Morrison)
FILMS
LA92 (Daniel Lindsay & T. J. Martin)
Crash (Paul Haggis)
13th (Ava DuVernay)
American Son (Kenny Leon)
Blindspotting (Carlos López Estrada)
Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu)
Dear White People (Justin Simien)
Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler)
I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc)
If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins)
Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton)
King In The Wilderness (Peter Kunhardt)
See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol)
Selma (Ava DuVernay)
The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.)
When They See Us (Ava DuVernay)
Again, there are enormous amounts of educational resources available – academic or otherwise. Above are a few readily available, easily accessible materials but you can find much more in-depth lists here, here and here as well a very well curated collection of Black History Month materials here. A lot of the organisations listed above will also have links to further reading and resources. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR IGNORANCE.
SHARE
Please share this post as much as possible and any subsequent resources you find. It’s imperative that we don’t let the level of support boil down to one day of muting our socials; this isn’t a trend or an issue that’s anywhere near a resolution.
