The tension between police and the communities they’re supposed to protect continues as former Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter was sentenced to only two years in prison for shooting 20-year-old Daunte Wright at a traffic stop for two infractions: expired registration and illegally hanging an air freshener from his rearview mirror. Just over a year before Daunte’s death, George Floyd, another unarmed black man, died after Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. This sparked protests all over the world, not just for George, but for the countless others who have suffered or have senselessly lost their lives at the hands of an unjust system, such as 26-year-old Breonna Taylor who was shot 8 times during a botched drug raid while she slept in her home, Ahmaud Arbery who was gunned down by two white men while jogging, 23-year-old Elijah McClain who was simply going to the store to buy his brother some iced tea, and 29-year-old Jacob Blake who was walking away when officers shot him seven times in the back in front of his kids.
The unsettling tension and cries for change have left many wondering how they can help. Below are a few ways to do your part in the fight against inequality, injustice, and police brutality.
Participate In Organized Actions For Breonna Taylor
Organizers launched #BirthdayforBreonna, a 10-step plan of action to bring awareness to her senseless death and plead for justice. The plan includes posting on social media and updating your bios to commemorate her life, signing a petition, demanding that Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron charge the officers responsible for her death, donating to her Go FundMe, and more.
Click here for the full details.
Donate
As financial activism is a great way to support the cause, you can always put your money where your mouth is and donate to advocacy groups. To help spread the wealth, you can challenge friends and family to match your donation or simply share ways to donate on social media. Color of Change and Campaign Zero, are a few options. See below for more.
Bail Funds:
Direct Aid to Families:
Darnella Frazier Fund (17-year-old woman who filmed George Floyd’s death)
Police Accountability
Demand that police officers are held accountable for their actions by researching current laws, proposed changes, and contacting your representatives at the local, state, and national levels. Campaign Zero is a good place to start as they have a comprehensive data and research-backed solution to ending police brutality.
You can also research your city’s budget for law enforcement and demand funds to be relocated to more crucial areas like education and housing. To directly support Minneapolis police accountability, Reclaim the Block, an organization that aims to defund police and reallocate funds into underserved communities, is a great resource. Communities United Against Police Brutalityis another great resource.
Protest
Showing up and making your voice heard is always a great way to stand in solidarity. But if you’re going to protest, you should be well-versed on your rights. In addition to BlackLivesMatter, ACLU has a comprehensive list that details your protestors’ rights.
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Heading to protest tonight? Make sure you’re prepared by knowing your rights.
Social Media Accounts To Follow
Here are a few social media accounts you can follow that highlight the current climate, raise awareness about racial injustice, and provide knowledge for those who would like to learn more about what’s going on and how they can get involved.
Shop Black-Owned Businesses
Official Black Wall Street, Buy From A Black Woman, WeBuyBlack, and EcoWatch are great platforms for finding and supporting black-owned businesses. You can find more resources here.
What To Read
What To Watch
Music You Can Listen To
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