In response to the death of George Floyd, both main stream and social media has been inundated with a surge of information -some helpful, but many others not. Many of us recognise the need to make a difference and contribute, but are stumped where to start, cautious of slipping into performative activism by making empty gestures; such as reposting hashtags on our stories, without any action behind it.
This post contains a list of some of the many ways you can raise awareness and contribute to the cause, whether in the US or here in the UK. From Demanding Accountability and Donating, to Protests, Educating yourself, and Challenging Racism, this post hopes to give you many opportunities to make a difference.
<Disclaimer, this list is at no point comprehensive, and I welcome any further suggestions that I have not yet included, and will try to update this post regularly>
Demanding accountability
The policeman, Derek Chauvin, who killed George Floyd has been arrested and charged, but the other three cops involved, have so far not. The petitions circulating social media are a place to start, but there are further ways you can take action:
This petition demands from Mayor Frey to stop all four officers involved receiving their pensions, and to ban them from working as police officers; calls for them to be charged; and release any protestors who have been arrested. http://act.colorofchange.org./sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis
Your local MP can be contacted in numerous ways: whether you chose to email, send a letter, or contact via social media, you can urge you MP to address the American embassy about all those who have died facing police brutality, or perhaps those who have even higher authority: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
Send a Letter to Minneapolis Officials
The attorney representing the family, Benjamin Crump, a national civil rights lawyer, recommends writing a letter addressed to the Minnesota Governor Tim, or the Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, demanding justice and police charges. If you’re unsure what to say, a pre-written script can be found in the letter shared by this petition: http://act.colorofchange.org./sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis
Make a call
Additionally, you can make a contact the Minneapolis District Attorney Mike Freeman, requesting that the three other officers involved Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng be arrested and charged. Freeman can be contacted at 612-348-5550, but if calling from the UK (or elsewhere other than US), remember to add the international access code, and be aware of additional phone charges!
Screenshot from Attorney Crump’s Twitter
Donate
From funds recently set up to bail out protestors, to existing organisations that tackle police brutality, here are a list of some of the best places if wanting to make a financial difference.
<not everyone is in the position to make a financial donation – while it’s good to give what you can, no matter how small, remember there are still other ways to contribute>
GoFundMe for the families
A GoFundMe for George Floyd’s family has been created to cover legal and funeral costs, as well as provide counselling for his family and continued support for his children.
There is also a second GoFundMe for the family of Ahmaud Arbery, to raise money for their legal costs. https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-run-with-maud
USA based –
The two main bail funds, Minnesota Freedom Fund and Brooklyn Bail Fund are great ways to start, but due to the floods of recent donations, have encouraged the public to redirect to others funds. Here are examples of a few:
The National Bail Fund Network made up from over sixty community and bail fund from across the country, this may be the first point of call for protestors in America right now, who have found themselves arrested. There is also a COVID19 rapid respond fund.
NAACP Legal Defense Fund is a legal organisation fighting for radical justice.
Know Your Rights Camp was set up by Colin Kaepernick that, amongst other things, now offers a legal fund for Minneapolis protestors.
Northstar Health Collective is providing health services and support at protests.
A Gas Mask Fund started by youth activists in Minneapolis. By raising money through twitter, they hope to provide for protestors who face being tear gassed.
UK based –
Stand Up to Racism UK and Stop Hate UK are two national groups standing up to racism. Not only do they accept donations but have resources to aide you to fundraise in their name, so you can allow your peers to support them through you.
The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, set up in his memory, is a trust that works with providing young people with disadvantaged backgrounds to support them in their future careers.
Operation Black Vote is a group tackling the lack of black representation in the elections.
The Runnymede Trust is a UK based race equality thinktank, researching and generating ways to overcome racial inequalities in regards to laws, politics and the governing of the UK – while Liberty is a humans right organisation focused on defending freedom and campaigning for equality in the UK.
The independent charity Institute of Race Relations is conducting research on race relations in the UK, and The Monitoring Group, amongst other aims, is raising awareness of these relations, supporting those suffering from violence and harassment along the way.
Or you can directly donate to the Black Lives Matter organisation UK branch.
Image from Spin website
Protests
Peaceful Protests have been organised by London Black Lives Matter group, in various locations this week, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow. Keep up to date with the events as they happen by following the #LDNBLM on twitter.
Note
Before going to protest, due to COVID, please evaluate whether it is safe for you and your family. If you chose to go, equipping yourself with face masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, and being conscious of social distancing where possible, is a safe decision. Here’s an article from Vice about how to safely protest during the COVID pandemic – take extra precautions.
Hopefully police response to protests in the UK will not escalate to the scenes we are seeing in America, but in case you do find you or yourself arrested, this thread is a twitter list of lawyers willing to work probono (for free).
Can’t protest but willing to help protestors
Most organisations offering resources to protestors are in the US, such as Women for Political Change who has supply and donation options Minneapolis–Saint Paul. PPE, groceries, child care products or even just water are sought after products right now. Most rely on volunteers and supplies, such as Pimento Jamaican Kitchen and Hunger Solutions, so if you have any family and friends in America right now, you can guide them here.
Clean up Effort
Businesses and building that have been damaged during this week are being supported by organisations such as the Minneapolis community clean-up event, while Free Hugs Project has launched rebuilding efforts in the city.
Image from the Evening Standard
Educate yourself
Regardless of our race and ethnicity, we can all benefit from educating ourselves more on the topic, so we are equipped with knowledge when we choose to speak out and contribute to the conversation.
Books
The list of books are endless, but here are a few recommended by Vice that tackle the history of Black British struggle; Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga, Natives by Akala and Ain’t No Black in the Union Jack by Paul Gilroy. Tech expert Tatitana Mac includes a few other titles in her guide, including; How To Be Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander and Why I’m No Longer Talking About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge.
The last book has its own petition urging the department of education to add it to the GSCE curriculum. Further, a public Google Doc by @perkin_amalaraj a useful list of resources including a number of free online courses.
Watch
Here’s a short list of material to watch, compiled by Elle:
Self-subtitled ‘A crash discourse on black culture’, the video deals with cultural appropriation and the respecting cultures that have been used in the fashion industry.
Directed by Ava DuVernay, this Netflix documentary examines the US prison system and the disproportionally high incarceration when it comes to racial inequalities.
Based on a true story, this drama is a heart-breaking account of five teens falsely accused of a crime they did not commit – and the years they spend fighting for their freedom.
Netflix series that follows the lives of students, as they tackle the social injustice, racial inequalities and misguided activism that they face in this world.
Challenge Racism
This final section should perhaps have been the first, but regardless: whether you encounter it explicitly or implicitly – speak up. It may be awkward to have *The* Conversation with your friends, family and colleagues, but don’t be afraid to question it. Look carefully at the treatment of people around you, and challenge where you see fit.
Photo owner uknown – contact for credit
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this list, thank you for taking the time to read this. This list will be updated regularly, as more information of how to contribute is discovered.
Special thank you to the articles in Vice, Elle, and The Cut, websites I used extensively to gather and group together all the different materials they offered.
Finally I’ll leave with a quote from Fredrick Douglass, something that directly applies to the efforts of people this week, and all the weeks before this.
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress”
Photo from Mark.C on Instagram
yasmeen//
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