#BlackLivesMatter - how you can help
This week it has seemed like the world is a much crueler place than a lot of us initially thought. I say this as a white woman, who has been aware of the police brutality in the US and beyond, been suitably outraged by it… and done very little to actively stop it.
It is time for that to change.
It is no longer enough to sit behind a laptop screen and sign petitions and use hashtags. People are dying and it’s because of our own ignorance and apathy that this has been allowed to continue.
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” - Desmond Tutu
This quote has been going around a lot. Read it. Let it sink in. Let your outrage grow, and then do something about it. If you are white, you must use your white privilege to make a difference. If you are white, it is your responsibility to educate yourself.
Here are some resources:
TO SIGN:
https://www.change.org/p/united-nations-ban-the-use-of-inhumane-rubber-bullets
https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd
TO DONATE:
If you don’t have money to spare but still want to donate, watch this YouTube video with the ads (turn OFF your ad blocker to watch!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgLa25fDHM&feature=youtu.be
The only official donation page for George Floyd’s family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
List of GoFundMes made by black people who need money: https://twitter.com/ryukosgokuuni/status/1265839563613908992?s=21
Support Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
Split donation across bail funds: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bail_funds_george_floyd
TO PROTEST:
London:
A demo is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, in Hyde Park at 1pm, where protesters are asked to "stand with us" and to wear red
This weekend, the capital will also host two peaceful protests, on Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7
On June 6, people will gather at Parliament Square from 1pm in "peaceful protests against police brutality in the UK and the US"
The June 7 event kicks off at 2pm near the US Embassy in London to call for "justice for the multiple black people who have been killed and harmed by the police"
Those keen to join protests in the capital can get more details by checking the #LDNBLM hashtag on Twitter
Birmingham:
A protest has been set for Thursday, June 4, starting from Victoria Square
Manchester:
Protesters will meet in the city centre to show their opposition from 1pm on Saturday, June 6, in Piccadilly Gardens
TO EDUCATE:
A list of books: https://twitter.com/waIlflwers/status/1266798339552497664
Being black and LGBTQ: https://www.hrc.org/resources/being-african-american-lgbtq-an-introduction
PDFs of books by black activists: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1mljH99Nwy-SfgbDec-UDHSrrN1_JLmwB
Remember, in a situation like this, it’s important to do your own research if you want to be a good ally. Don’t ask black people to explain it to you. Don’t rely on lists like this, go out and find your own resources. Educate yourself, show up and platform black people above your own voice.
If you are black and are reading this - I’m so sorry. We are here for you.
ALL OF THESE RESOURCES AND MORE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-0KC83vYfVQ-2freQveH43PWxuab2uWDEGolzrNoIks/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR0FlY3euYo5_guY82SH_mwv7xuMrtQBk-LUKjpqkEFzo2gQqNODojn6ZPM
