In solidarity with what is happening in the United States, I am not going to take space this week. I am making space for the black voices that are seldom heard. Please take the time to perform active activism. Posting on social media is not enough. Check your privilege. This is not a trend. These are people whose lives have always been, and will always be, on the line without meaningful change in this country. Black lives matter.
Demand that Mayor Frey of Minneapolis and District Attorney Mike Freeman both ensure that all four officers involved in the murder of George Floyd are fired and charged with murder (as of now only one has been arrested and charged): https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd?recruiter=1096617288&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf_combo_share_abi&recruited_by_id=2943f820-a174-11ea-b563-a538d17ee3bd.
Demand that Mayor Frey blocks all four officers from receiving their pensions and ban them from ever becoming police officers again: text "Floyd" to 55156, or use this link: https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis
Sign a petition and call those in power in Kentucky, and Louisville specifically, to demand justice for Breonna Taylor: https://www.standwithbre.com/
Research your local laws that fail to hold law enforcement accountable and perpetuate systematic oppression, and contact your elected officials. Phone numbers for those you can contact regarding George Floyd are:
- Hennepin County DA Mike Freeman's office: 612-348-5550
- Governor Walz: 651-201-3400
- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison: 651-296-3353
The ACLU provides a community action manual about fighting police abuse. It's a long read but is immensely informative: https://www.aclu.org/other/fighting-police-abuse-community-action-manual
This is a quick guide explaining allyship as it is often overused within the wrong context. An ally doesn't need to be someone that fully understands what it feels like to be oppressed. An ally is someone that takes on the struggle as if it is their own: https://guidetoallyship.com/.
More resources can be found here: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/
