This week, dozens of agencies, studios, and creators are going dark to help amplify the voices and demands of people of color. Here’s an evolving list of how you can pitch in:
Action:
+ Join the media blackout (especially if you’re not a POC). Stop posting about anything on your personal channels except social justice. Use your account to amplify Black voices.
+ Help push the demands of local protesters. Tweet/write/call Governor Cuomo demanding he sign a bill to repeal 50-A, a law that literally hides police misconduct.
+ Flood Mayor DeBlasio's inbox and your city council member's messages demanding them to defund the police and hold them accountable for the violent crimes they are committing against Black people.
+ Offer water, food, PPE supplies, milk, etc. off your stoop during demonstrations… Not in the area? Send supplies to those still in the city/those attending. Or, drop off water, food, portable phone chargers, etc. to your local Jail Support crew.
+ Make a BLM sign and put it in your lawn/window.
+ Drop off some food at a pop-up pantry in your neighborhood/city.
+ Support businesses owned by people of color: https://webuyblack.com/.
+ Google whether your local PD outfits all on-duty police officers with body cameras. If they don’t, write to your city council representative about it.
+ Google whether your city/town currently employs evidence-based police de-escalation trainings. If they don’t, write to your city council representative about it.
+ Stop buying from businesses that use prison labor: https://returntonow.net/2016/06/13/prison-labor-is-the-new-american-slavery/
+ Organize/hold a mandatory office-wide diversity/sensitivity training.
+ Write to the US Sentencing Commission with a list of demands: Reform the career offender guideline, give more people probation, reduce mandatory minimum sentences, etc.
+ Use your design/communication skills for good. Flyer your neighborhood with lists of resources, safe spaces, words of support etc. Offer pro-bono work to a nonprofit.
+ Register to vote. Fill out your absentee ballot application now.
+ Re-educate yourself. Read important works such as “Are Prisons Obsolete” by Angela Davis, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, "Me and White Supremacy" by Layla F. Saad. and other literature/media by Black authors. A list to get you started compiled by those who've already made the effort here.
+ Volunteer. Volunteer. Volunteer. Physically or virtually. Help rebuild your community from the ground up.
Donation:
Community Bail Funds per State
Communities United Against Police Brutality
Petition:
New business inquiries.
How can we help?
NYC 09:50
STK 03:50
LA 06:50
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