We demand justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the countless others who have lost their lives to racism and police brutality.
The recent deaths George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others continue to resonate throughout the United States and beyond. It’s impossible to forget their stories.
George Floyd’s life ended after a police ficer named Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for over eight minutes. Ahmaud Arbery was jogging in Atlanta when he caught the attention former police ficer Gregory McMichael, his son Travis, and their neighbor William Bryan; they proceeded to track him down and fatally shoot him. Breonna Taylor was killed after police forcefully entered her apartment with a no-knock warning, prompting her boyfriend to open fire; Taylor was shot eight times and pronounced dead at the scene.
They are but three Black Americans who lost their lives at the hands police, victims the oppression systemic racism. These deaths have served as reminders the challenges many Black Americans face on a daily basis. For many, that pain is a familiar one, having been experienced first hand. A battle long-fought, all toward a seemingly hopeless end. For others, it’s something understood from a distance, empathy felt through a lens privilege. With the pain having reached an apex– thousands upon thousands, all walks life — have taken to the streets in solidarity. Peaceful protests commemorating those who lost their lives, with protestors risking tear-gas, rubber bullets, and at worst, a fate that has been met far too ten.
There are moments sorrow; further violence, wanton moments destruction, and escalation from an increasingly militarized police force. It’s easy to piece together those moments and build a dangerous and unflattering narrative. But there are also moments solidarity, harmony between those seeking peace, equality, and justice. Moments between people willing to help each other, to put their bodies on the line and raise their voices in favor change. To recognize hard truths about privilege and perspective. To fer monetary support to people in need, be it George Floyd’s Memorial Fund or bail assistance for those arrested while protesting.
If one thing has become abundantly clear, it’s that this is a cause that millions worldwide are willing to fight for. And make no mistake, there are many different means contributing. In order to facilitate the process, we’ve assembled a list resources for your perusal. Should you be interested in donating, attending a protest, signing a petition, or voicing your opinion to those in positions power, here are some the places to consider.
On behalf HotNewHipHop, we send our support to the entire Black community and all those doing their part to ensure that justice is achieved.
Black Lives Matter Chapters
“Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.”
Ways You Can Help
“When You’re Done: Educate Yourself. This Doesn’t Go Away Once The Topic Isn’t ‘Trending.'”
I Run With Maud (Ahmaud Arbery)
“This fundraiser was designed to assist Ahmaud’s mother; Ms. Wanda Cooper-Jones and her immediate family with financial support during this extreme difficult time and in their struggle for justice for the murder Ahmaud Marquez Arbery.”
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
“This fund is established to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist our family in the days to come as we continue to seek justice for George. A portion these funds will also go to the Estate George Floyd for the benefit and care his children and their educational fund.”
#JusticeForRegis
“On May 27th 2020, my sister Regis Korchinski Paquet, tragically lost her life, she was so special and meant the world to us. She was kind, beautiful and she will be missed beyond belief. We are asking the public to help with meeting are goal to get the proper justice we need.”
Campaign Zero
“Over 1,000 people are killed by police every year in America. We are calling on local, state, and federal lawmakers to take immediate action to adopt driven policy solutions to end this violence and hold police accountable.”
LGBTQ Freedom Fund
“Each day, tens thousands LGBTQ people are held in jail or immigration detention because they cannot afford bail—for immigration status or charges like sleeping in public. With your help, the Freedom Fund posts bail to secure their release and safety.”
Black Visions Collective (Minneapolis)
“We aim to center our work in healing and transformative justice principles, intentionally develop our organization’s core “DNA” to ensure sustainability, and develop Minnesota’s emerging Black leadership to lead powerful campaigns.”
National Police Accountability Project
“The central mission NPAP is to promote the accountability law enforcement ficers and their employers for violations the Constitution and the laws the United States.”
BAIL FUNDS
Bail Funds (Across The U.S.)
“A collection community resources for protestors around the country.”
Minnesota Freedom Fund
“The Minnesota Freedom Fund pays criminal bail and immigration bond for those who cannot afford to as we seek to end discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing.”
Peoples City Council Freedom Fund (Los Angeles)
“As the mayor and city council have sought to increase the LAPD’s budget during a pandemic, and as police around the country continue to kill innocent people color, we have taken to the street to protest the funding state-sanctioned murder.”
Brooklyn Bail Fund
“Brooklyn Community Bail Fund secures the freedom New Yorkers who would otherwise be detained pretrial due to their poverty alone. We are committed to challenging the criminalization race, poverty and immigration status, the practice putting a price on fundamental rights, and the persistent myth that bail is a necessary element the justice system.”
Atlanta Solidarity Fund
“When activists face repression, we stand with them. We provide support for people who are arrested at protests, or otherwise prosecuted for their movement involvement.”
The Philadelphia Bail Fund
“THE PHILADELPHIA BAIL FUND is a revolving fund that posts bail for people who are indigent and cannot afford bail. Our goal is to keep families and communities together and vigorously advocate for the end to cash bail in Philadelphia.”
Colorado Freedom Fund
“Founded in 2018, Colorado Freedom Fund (CFF) is a revolving fund that pays ransom (posts money bond, pays cash bail) for people unable to afford the cost buying their own freedom.”
Louisville Bail Fund
“The Louisville Community Bail Fund exists to not only bail out folks, but provide post-release support to get them from jail, fed, and to a situation safety.”
Toronto Protestor Bail Fund (GoFundMe)
“In light today’s protest we are looking to generate funding to release and support protestors who end up incarcerated. This bail fund includes any legal fees that may be incurred. This fund is being created as a precautionary measure and if it turns out no arrests are made; all remaining funds will go directly to support the family Regis Korchinski.”
Chicago Community Bail Fund
“It is our intention and hope to pay bond for everyone arrested at the protests right now.”
Luke 4:18 Bail Fund (Texas)
“The Luke 4:18 Bail Fund is partnering with faith communities, currently and formerly incarcerated people, families impacted by the legal justice system, and funders to drastically reduce the jail population in Dallas County.”
PETITIONS
Justice For Breonna Taylor
This petition demands that the ficers involved must be charged — specifically naming John Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove– among other points. Hit the link for more details.
Justice For George Floyd
This petition demands that all four ficers involved in the death George Floyd are charged, and calls upon Mayor Jacob Frey and DA Mike Freeman to act. Hit the link for more details.
#JusticeforFloyd
This petition demands that all four ficers involved in the death George Floyd are charged, and calls upon Mayor Jacob Frey and DA Mike Freeman to act. Hit the link for more details.
Hennepin County Attorney
For those who seek to contact D.A. Mike Freeman with demands for justice:
Phone: 612-348-5550
Email: [email protected]
Text “FLOYD” to 55156
DEFUND THE POLICE (BLM)
“Enough is enough. We call for radical, sustainable solutions that affirms the prosperity Black lives throughout America. Sign the petition right now and call on our cities and states to #DefundThePolice.”
People’s Budget L.A.
A petition that seeks to reject the L.A. Mayor’s proposed “People’s Budget,” where 54 percent the funds are allocated to the police.
Reclaim The Block Minneapolis
A petition inviting Minneapolis citizens to take a stand in favor defunding the police budget, focusing instead on means prioritize health and safety in Black communities, Indigenous communities, and communities color.