By now, you know the story. The American police keep killing unarmed Black people. We know this is just the latest chapter of our American legacy: the law has been a force of oppression and death for Black people from the start. It is right to demand justice and fight for change. Loudly. - Amber & Katie
Photo by Sticker You on Unsplash
“I know that it's hard to believe that the people you look to for safety and security are the same people who are causing us so much harm. But I'm not lying and I'm not delusional. I am scared and I am hurting and we are dying. And I really, really need you to believe me.”
--Ijeoma Oluo, So You Want to Talk About Race
This list continues to be updated. Keep checking back in.
Demand justice for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor:
Sign this petition demanding the cop--and his accomplices--who killed George Floyd be charged with murder. At this time, only one has been charged.
And this petition calling for the three officers who killed Breonna Taylor to be fired.
Show solidarity with organizers and protesters:
Follow the lead of black organizers in your area regarding local actions.
If you are attending an in-person protest, prioritize the health of those around you. Stay outdoors, keep as much social distance as possible, and wear a mask.
If you are white and attending an in-person protest, remember these protests are not for or about you. Your job at these protests is to use your white body to protect black protesters. If you see other white people escalating the protests--throwing projectiles, vandalizing property, or baiting cops--stop them. Their actions put black people at greatest risk. Respect and support the intent of black organizers.
Participate in A Family Day of Action for Black Lives from your home TODAY.
Donate to the community bail fund for the city nearest you using the National Bail Fund Network. For protesters being swept up in arrests, these funds help get people who cannot afford bail out of jail quickly.
Do not share photos or videos that show faces of protesters. For protesters’ safety, please help protect their anonymity.
If you are not attending a protest, check out this primer on how to lend your support to protests in other ways. Some of the highlights include: fundraise for Black Lives Matter, coordinate child care for protesters and provide other material support, and amplify both the protests and their message.
Participate in Nonviolent Direct Action training to gain a better understanding of how to host or participate in safe, effective actions. Ruckus.org provides such training to organizations. You can also check out this list of resources from Organizing for Power.
Donate to We Love Lake Street, to help locally owned businesses impacted by the unrest in Minneapolis rebuild.
Support Black Visions Collective, an organization devoted to healing and transformative justice and Black liberation.
Donate to Reclaim the Block, a coalition demanding Minneapolis divest in police and instead invest in alternatives to support diverse communities within the city.
Show up for Justice 4 Jamar. The organization was started after Minneapolis police killed Jamar Clark in 2015. They are demanding community control of police through a Police Accountability Council. Sign the petition, amplify their demands, and donate to make the MPAC a reality.
Donate to the Twin Cities Recovery Project, which is helping South-side businesses impacted by the protests rebuild.
Donate to The Bail Project. 100% of donations go to bailing people who can’t afford it out of jail.
Support Communities United Against Police Brutality, which was formed in 2000 after Minneapolis police murdered Charles “Abuka” Sanders. CUAPB has a 24-hour crisis line (612-874-STOP) for people to report police abuses and help connect those who call with legal, medical, and mental health services. They also work on laws to fight police brutality. They are currently working to require Minneapolis police officers to have to carry professional liability insurance. In so doing, officers who repeatedly engage in misconduct and brutality would eventually become uninsurable and lose their jobs. Donate and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Support Unicorn Riot, a non-profit independent media group who have been providing live coverage of the protests. Donate and follow their live coverage.
Disseminate this resource from Thugs for Humanity to help black, brown, and undocumented protesters who are arrested locate bail and legal resources and know their rights.
Donate to this fund for Darnella Frazier, the 17-year-old girl who filmed George Floyd’s murder.
Engage in the work to end racism in policing and in your community:
Donate to Black Lives Matter, considering joining your local chapter, and follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to take ongoing action.
Be sure you are centering the voice and work of people of color--and properly crediting them--in your social media sharing.
Donate to Color of Change, a non-profit working “to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back, and champion solutions that move us all forward.”
Read the ACLU’s Community Action Manual on Fighting Police Abuse, which includes critical reforms for law enforcement to bring accountability and oversight to policing in the United States, as well as tips for organizing.
Advocate for change at the state and local level to end police brutality.
Work your way through these anti-racism resources, which includes podcasts, articles, and books you can consume to better understand racism in the U.S., as well as organizations you can support to fight white supremacy.
Support the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which advocates for racial justice and provides scholarships to black undergraduates and law students.
Campaign Zero has a plan to end racist police violence. Click through to view their policy solutions, advocate for those solutions with lawmakers at the local, state, and federal levels, and donate to keep the organization going.
Do the work of confronting white supremacy. Every. Single. Day.
Support the families seeking justice.
Donate to the George Floyd Memorial Fund.
Donate to the GoFundMe to pay for Tony McDade’s funeral and burial expenses, to benefit his mother. McDade was killed last Wednesday.
Donate to I Run with Maud, benefiting Ahmaud Arbery’s mother. Arbery was killed by white vigilantes in February.
Donate to Justice for Dion Johnson. Johnson was also killed by police on Memorial Day for sleeping in his car.
Sign this petition calling for Justice for Breonna. Breonna Taylor was killed by police in March, when they broke into her home in search of drugs and a drug trafficker who not only did not live with her or anywhere near her residence, but whom law enforcement already had in custody.
While this isn’t from a family member, in honor of Taylor’s birthday, @battymamzelle is calling for people to flood social media with positive remembrances of Taylor and to send cards to the Kentucky Attorney General, Governor, LMPD, and Louisville mayor calling for charges to be filed against the officers who killed Taylor in her home.
1. Using #SayHerName, I want to flood social media with love and remembrance for Breonna. Art, music, poetry, anything you can think of. Use her name, remember her. Celebrate her.Donate to Justice for Breonna, which is raising funds for Taylor’s family.
Donate to Justice for David McAtee, who was murdered by LMPD while protesting for justice for George Floyd. The funds will go to his family to pay for burial, memorial fund, and legal fees. You can also sign the petition calling for Justice for McAtee.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Let us know how you’ve taken action using #LinkedAndLoud.
References
The Police Killing You Probably Didn’t Hear About This Week | Mother Jones
Risk of being killed by police use of force in the United States by age, race–ethnicity, and sex | PNAS
Here’s What You Need to Know About Breonna Taylor’s Death | The New York Times
Here's what you need to know about the death of George Floyd | CNN
Linked & Loud illuminates complex problems and connects readers with the individuals and organizations working to solve them. Each week, we go beyond horrifying headlines to empower readers to take progressive action.