In both the UK and US, protests and marches are calling for justice and police reform.
Protests can be a powerful way to come together and drive change. However, what happens now? There is so much more work to be done and here at Smart Girl Tribe we want to help you. Here are various ways you can help and stay active in helping the BLM community.
Host a virtual protest
On Sunday, a virtual Black Lives Matter protest was set up in Bristol for anyone not attending the London protests with more following suit. Saturday’s march in London even saw 22,000 join from Zoom, Facebook Live and Instagram.
Apollo Sankara says: “This isn’t just a moment, this is a movement. Why are we angry? That question in itself has many answers. Seeing the execution of members in our community play on our phones, on our news outlets as a starter. It’s corroding. We see what’s happening not just Stateside, but globally. It eats you inside and essentially paralyses you.”
Why not host a virtual protest of your own? You can call your friends and family members together, they can help spread the word.
Spread information
Through Twitter, in your group chats, on your feed. Share any resources that you think could be helpful for protestors. On Instagram, we have shared essential lists full of resources such as books, podcasts, TV shows and organisations you can donate to. Find them here.
Contact officials
Continue to call your elected officials (US) and local MPs (UK) and demand reform and justice. You can do this over the phone or by email. Here’s an email written by Instagram user Maasai Godwin to get you started.
Pay bail
For our American readers, there are countless bail funds accepting donations, which will in turn help to combat our country’s mass incarceration problem. You’ve probably heard of the Minnesota Freedom Fund, here are some more to consider:
The Louisville Community Bail Fund
The Chicago Community Bond Fund
The Peoples City Council Freedom Fund
Restoring Justice
The Colorado Freedom Fund
The Columbus Freedom Fund
The Liberty Fund
In the UK, here are further organisations to support the BLM community.
Antiracist research and policy centre
Audre Lorde project
Black Women’s blueprint
Equal justice initiative
Families belong together
Muslim girl
Showing up for racial justice
Sistersong
United we dream
The leadership conference on civil and human rights
Sign petitions
You’ve heard it already, but keep adding your name to petitions.
In America, text FLOYD to 55156 to sign Color of Change’s petition calling on Mayor Frey to block the Minneapolis officers from receiving their pensions and from becoming officers again and demands that charges be brought upon every office involved in the death of George Floyd.
Change.org has a similar petition.
Sign Run With Ahmaud’s petition to ensure he gets the justice he deserves.
This “super-petition” demands that “Louisville Metro Council pass new rules banning the use of no-knock raids like the one used to break into Breonna’s home” and automatically contacts the appropriate government reps.
Stay active
Keep speaking out against injustice and for police reform on social media, to your parents, coworkers, friends. Put your money, time, and effort where your black box on Instagram is. Across social media you can also use #CREATECHANGENOW.