On May 25, George Floyd, a 46-year-old man was buying cigarettes in Minneapolis when a deli employee called the police, accusing Floyd of paying with a counterfeit $20 bill. 17 minutes after the call, Floyd had three police officers pinning him to the ground. Video surfacing on the internet and in the news shows one officer pressing his knee on his neck while the other two officers had their legs on his back and legs. One officer was watching and standing guard. Watching the video you can hear Floyd repeatedly imploring , “I can’t breathe.” Towards the end of his life, he screamed out for his mother. After 9 minutes the video shows Floyd not moving and what has been determined as dead. The officers involved were, Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Keung. The New York Times has the video and story that you can check out here.
Now, that you see and read the event that transpired in Minneapolis it gives context as to what is happening around the world today. Black people, especially, and non-black people are outraged at the murder of a black man in the hands of the cops. Yes, not all cops are bad and yes all lives do matter. That not the point. The point is that our black community has been facing years of injustices, prejudices, racism and bigotry for over 400 years. The killing of George Floyd feels like the ship hitting the tip of the iceberg that has been built over years and people have had enough.
You may be feeling frustrated and tired of the injustices our black friends, family, colleagues, associates or partners are facing. You may wonder, how can I help? Well. first of all there a lot that can be done. Don’t underestimate the power you hold. Below are resources you can use to educate yourself, family/friends and a list of places that can use donations to protect those who are defending the rights of black people and the ones highlighting the injustices and solutions we need to see in this country of the United States. Simply, click on the organization name and it will take you to the sites page. Below is a starting point of how you can help. As always do your own research and don’t be afraid to have questions.
History of racial violence in the United States.
- Text or Call Donate
- Petitions
- Donate
Link: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/
California
- People City Council Freedom Fund
- Bay Area Relief Fund
- Silicon Valley Democratic Socialist of America Bail Fund
- Black Lives Matter LA
New York
Chicago
Texas
- Faith in Texas – not exclusively a bond but it is allocating funds to bail out protesters
- Restoring Justice
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Washington
Kentucky
Georgia
Ohio
Nevada
Maryland
Virginia
Pennsylvania
National
- ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union
- Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
Check back for updates. Thank you.
Sources:
Featured image by Mike Von
Meaningful Inspiring Nonconforming Development 