George Floyd Protests: How To Help

For the past week, protesters have taken to the streets in major cities across America in a wave of indignation to condemn police brutality and anti-black violence.

It began on May 25th when George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota by a police officer. The officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on Floyd’s neck for over 8 minutes while he was pinned to the ground. After footage of the death gained attention on social media, protests erupted in Minneapolis demanding justice for Floyd.

The Minneapolis protests started peacefully but escalated when police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protestors.

In the days that have followed, many more have gathered to protest in Los Angeles, New York, and other major cities to demand justice for George Floyd and an end to anti-black violence.  As protests expand across the rest of the country, the police have continued to provoke and escalate the situation.

In light of this, BLOOP has put together a number of ways to take action in support of justice for Floyd and the efforts of protestors, as well as materials to educate yourself on racial justice and how to be actively anti-racist.

1. Donate

Along with one-time payments in response to the protests, please consider a monthly donation that you can invest into long term.

1. George Floyd’s Family Fundraiser:
2. This fund will be used to help the Floyd family with funeral/memorial costs and to help the family continue to seek justice for George.
3. Ahmaud Arbery’s Family Fundraiser:
4. This fund will be used to help the Arbery family with funeral/memorial costs and to help the family continue to seek justice for Ahmaud.
5. The National Bail Fund Network:
6. Help protesters make bail using this list of bail funds for protesters across the country.  
7. Black Visions Collective:
8. A Black, Trans, & Queer-led organization that is committed to dismantling systems of oppression, as well as shifting the public narrative to support long-term change.
9. Black Lives Matter:
10. Join the movement to fight for freedom, liberation, and justice.
11. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund:
12. America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial injustice.
13. The Marsha P. Johnson Institute:
14. Protects and defends the right of Black Trans people.

2. Sign petitions

Much like the right to protest, petitioning is part of your First Amendment rights. A massive petition shows that people care about an issue and helps put pressure on the government to take action.

1. Justice for George Floyd: A petition to have the DA charge the cops involved in Floyd’s death.‍
2. Justice for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor: Color Of Change has two active petitions to charge the police officers involved in the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. ‍
3. Defund The Police: A BLM petition for the national defunding of police.

3. Social media Activism

This is an easy way to take action. Be intentional about posting authenticated news articles, petitions, websites, and more that help bring exposure to police brutality and anti-black violence. Here are a few tips.

1. Don’t be silent on social media. Speak up. Use your platform to seek justice for George Floyd. If you are uncomfortable writing something yourself then repost someone else’s words.
2. When you donate, share the link on your social channels to inspire followers.
3. Resharing photos or videos of protestors could get them in trouble with the law. Think carefully before reposting any video where law enforcement could I.D. someone.

4. Educate yourself

If you aren’t Black consider it an imperative to educate yourself on how to be actively anti-racist. Here are a few readings that will help you gain more knowledge on these issues:

The End of Policing: Alex Vitale
A book that shows how the police create problems they were founded to solve. A vital book that dissects the usefulness of policing itself.

White Fragility: Robin DiAngelo, phD
White fragility is described in this book as, “a state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves.” This book details the mechanics of white fragility, and points to ways for white people to engage in racial justice.

How To Be An Anti-Racist: Ibram X. Kendi
A powerful book for anyone who wants to delve beyond peripheral awareness of racism in society to contributing towards the formation of an equal society.

White Rage: Carol Anderson
Documents the violent reaction of white society to every single one of Black people’s gains. A staggering account of racist history in the United States.

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