Here’s how you can support Black Lives Matter, both nationally and locally.
Over the weekend, cities across the nation, as well as the rest of the world, took to the streets in protest of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer. At the forefront of fighting for justice, as well as equitable systems for Black Americans, is the volunteer-run organization Black Lives Matter.
If you’re looking for ways you can help them and affiliated organizations, or provide aid to the many protestors that were injured or who’ve been arrested during the protests, here’s what you can do:
Protest
BLM-led protests have been ongoing throughout the City of Chicago. To discover where the protests are occurring, you can consult this map, or, follow their social media pages for updates.
Donate
Important Organizations
- BLM Fund: Donate directly to help fund the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Reclaim The Block: A Minneapolis organization that invests in providing communities with long-term alternatives to large scope policing and promotes healthier, safer, and more diverse communities.
- North Star Health Collective: Works alongside health care providers to provide health care services, training, and resources to communities.
- NAACP Legal Defense: America’s top legal firm fighting for racial justice.
- ACLU: The American Civil Liberties Union is a historical organization that has fought for civil liberties on behalf of all Americans since 1920.
- Campaign Zero: Seeks to end police violence on local, state, and federal levels.
- Equal Justice Initiative: Nonprofit organization that works alongside marginalized communities to represents individuals that have been illegally convicted and unfairly sentenced.
Victims
- George Floyd Memorial Fund: Donate directly to the family of George Floyd via this gofundme created by his brother, Philonise Floyd.
- George Floyd’s Sister’s Fund: Further support George Floyd’s family’s mission in getting justice for his death through this gofundme set up by George Floyd’s sister, Bridgett Floyd.
- I Run With Maud: Donate to the family of Ahmaud Marquez Arbery, who was murdered in February while jogging.
- Justice For Regis: Donate to the family of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, who fell off a balcony and died after a confrontation with the police.
- Justice for Jamee: Donate to the family of Jamee Johnson, who was shot four times in the chest by a police officer during a traffic stop.
- See a full list of victims’ donation pages here.
Protestors
- Chicago Community Bond Fund: Supports individuals who have been unlawfully arrested in protests and are unable to pay bonds themselves.
- The Bail Project: A national non-profit organization that pays bails on behalf of individuals without the means.
- LGBTQ Freedom Fund: Posts bonds of LGBTQ+ individuals in jail or immigration detention.
- Loveland Foundation Therapy: Provides free therapy sessions for black women and girls.
- National Bail Out: Black-led community-based movement that seeks to end mass incarceration and pretrial detention.
Petition
#justiceforfloyd — a petition begun by The Color of Change that demands that Minneapolis mayor, Jacob Frey, block all four officers (Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J. Alexander Keung) involved in George Floyd’s death from receiving their pensions and to ban them from the force for good. Furthermore, this petition calls the for release of any and all protestors that have been arrested in the ensuing protests. To meet its goal of 2,500,000, the petition needs 55,000 more signatures. To sign, you can follow this link or text “FLOYD” to 55156.
Justice for Floyd — a petition from Change.org which demands the accountability of all officers involved with the murder of George Floyd. Sign here.
Support black-owned businesses in Chicago
Supporting black-owned businesses in Chicago can empower communities in the long run, with stronger local economies, and an environment that fosters greater job creation. It’s no secret that the pandemic has made a more devastating effect on black communities across the city. To discover black-owned businesses in your area, you can go to blackownedchicago.com.
Use and share resources
Therapy for People of Color — this document, created by a Kenyan woman living in Boston, contains a wide variety in resources for those who’ve suffered traumatic experiences.
Safety and protection — learn how to be careful, protect yourself and others in protests.
Suicide prevention (1-800-273-TALK (8255)) — when police are called to intervene in tense situations, people with mental illnesses are 16x more likely to be killed by law enforcement.
[Featured image: @amandajonezzzz]