Donate Your Dollars
Can’t protest? No worries. Donate your dollars to reputable fundraisers for the families impacted by police misconduct. It’s a loving way to show your support and it will help lighten their financial load. One easy way to tell a fundraiser is legit is by checking the comments to see if family members or friends have left any supportive messages. That’s when you know it’s the real deal. In addition to these funds, you can also give money to national bail organizations like National Bail Out and The Bail Project, which help individuals in need of bail assistance.
Attend A Local Protest
In recent months, there’s been a resurgence of protests across the globe — from Los Angeles and New York to London, Paris, even Australia — in support of the Black Lives Movement. These necessary public demonstrations are a powerful way to show your support and honor those affected by police misconduct. They’re also a concrete way to raise your voice and demand change.
You can find an array of demonstrations on the Citizen app, neighborhood-specific Facebook pages, and through the social media accounts of different activists and community organizers in your area. Be vigilant and as safe as possible while protesting.
Give Back at a Food Pantry
Food pantries need your help now more than ever, as a lot of them have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out Feeding America for a list of food banks near you who are in the assistance of volunteers to help pack, prepare, and deliver meals to those in need. Additionally, if you have nonperishable food at home you’re not using, consider donating them to local food banks accepting donations.
Spread The Word
Freedom work ain’t easy, but it’s necessary. Let’s lift up our brothers and sisters on the frontlines of the Black Lives Matter Movement by amplifying their voices on social and in real life and helping them mobilize people for protests, fundraisers and any important community ventures. Engaging and sharing the work of activists, organizers and community leaders not only lets them know they’re supported and cared for, it can serve as fuel and motivation to continue this heavy but vital work.
Vote, Vote, Vote!
If you’re eligible to do so, vote for politicians and community leaders who support the Black Lives Matter Movement and are advocating for policy to eradicate police brutality and aid in criminal justice reform. Your vote is your voice so go out there to the voting booths for national, state and local elections and make sure you’re heard. You can find a full calendar of upcoming elections on Ballotpedia.
Support Programs Pushing For Racial Justice and Equality
Another way to show your support for the Black Lives Matter Movement is by supporting organizations at the forefront of the fight for racial justice and criminal justice reform. Some programs to look into include the Equal Justice Initiative, an organization providing legal representation to people who’ve been wrongfully convicted, as well as the The National Council, which is fighting to end incarceration of women and girls while advocating for more community-led health, wellness and drug programs. Consider making a donation, amplifying them on your social media accounts and sharing links to their initiatives with family and friends who are also interested in joining the movement.
