Democratic Socialists for America: LA Chapter: Guidelines for Safe ProtestingWe know that many of our members, comrades, and allies feel compelled to join the rebellions and protests springing up across the country right now, in response to the ongoing police violence and murders against black and brown people. DSA-LA has compiled a list of short tips for comrades to protest as safely as possible.
Vice: How to Protest Safely During a Pandemic"But in the wake of the deaths of Tony McDade, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police officers, people across the country have begun taking to the streets to protest police brutality and call for the abolishment of law enforcement agencies. Of course, being in close proximity to other people right now comes with COVID-19 risks… But we have arrived at a point where it is apparent that many of us are also immediately, existentially threatened by violence at the hands of the state. And people in the privileged position of not experiencing law enforcement as a direct threat have a moral obligation to support others who don’t have that same privilege. Here’s how to do that in a way that minimizes the risks involved, both to ourselves and the people we fight alongside."
Vox: How to more safely protest in a pandemicAs protesters take to the streets in dozens of US cities to mourn the death of George Floyd, resist police violence, and demand justice, many are wondering whether it’s possible to protest safely with the Covid-19 pandemic still spreading and taking lives.
More COVID-19 Articles & Resources
Bread for the World: Race, Hunger, and COVID-19: The impact on African Americans"The many persistent disparities between African Americans and white Americans—health, income, and wealth, among others—are what lead advocates to believe that African Americans are likely to be at higher risk from COVID-19. An effective response to the pandemic that, at a bare minimum, does not exacerbate existing inequities will require applying a racial equity lens to all COVID-19 responses, in order to compensate for the strikingly inequitable realities that African American communities face."
Bread for the World: Race, Hunger, and COVID-19: The impact on indigenous communities"Although they were the first communities in what is now known as the United States, Indigenous communities in urban and rural areas are often the last remembered in public policy. This is true particularly in times of crisis, including the current COVID-19 pandemic."
Bread for the World: Race, Hunger, and COVID-19: The impact on Latino/a communities"Many factors make Latino/a communities more vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, Latinos had twice the rate of confirmed cases as their percentage of the U.S. population. This leads advocates to expect similar racial disparities with COVID-19."
Community Resource Hub: COVID19 & Policing"In the midst of a pandemic, politicians have expanded police power to enforce public health orders, diverting resources from life saving programs and increasing the risk of police violence, infection, and harm."
Network: COVID-19 Illustrates and Amplifies Racism"Due to centuries of systemic injustice, people of color in the United States are experiencing additional hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our federal government’s response must take this into account and prioritize assistance for communities of color in ongoing legislation."
Northstar Health Collective"The North Star Health Collective was created in response to the Republican National Convention (RNC) in St. Paul September 1-4, 2008. We coordinated and provided health care services, resources, and training to ensure the safety of our community over the weeks before, during, and after the RNC."
Other ways to help: Buy Black
DC's Black-Owned Restaurants Open During COVID-19"Next time you're thinking of ordering takeout or delivery, or even looking to grab some tea to sip on, the below list of Black-owned food spots still open in the DMV is a good place to start."
Why Supporting Black-Owned Businesses During COVID-19 Is Essential"As a result of America's particular racial history, Black people have less access to wealth (and credit) while simultaneously facing gaps in both opportunity and achievement indelibly connected to race. African Americans are particularly disadvantaged even when compared to other minority groups. In simple terms, from slavery until today Black Americans started from the bottom and then were kept there by explicitly racist policy and cultural practices."
Black Bookstore Research Guide"Welcome to the Black Bookstore Research Guide of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The Black Bookstore Research Guide is intended to provide an introduction to the cultural, historical, and political significance of the independently owned black bookstore in the United States."
ACLU DC: Demonstration in DC: Know your RightsHelpful pamphlet that includes useful numbers and addresses, as well as tips for how to engage with police, and information about what will happen if you are arrested.
ACLU: Know Your Rights: Protesters' RightsThe First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on the exercise of speech rights. Make sure you’re prepared by brushing up on your rights before heading out into the streets.
Right To Protest: Protect your ProtestWe have pulled together key advice about keeping yourself and others safe. By preparing carefully and knowing what to do if things go wrong, you can make your protest as effective as possible.
Vice: What to Bring to a Peaceful ProtestThe gear you should bring when exercising your Constitutional right to peaceably assemble, and what you should leave behind.
Amnesty International: Safety During ProtestHelpful pamphlet with guides of what to do, what not to do, what to bring, what to wear, dealing with teargas, and knowing your rights.
Articles on all the ways that you can help
26 Ways to be in the struggle beyond the streets"This list is designed to celebrate all the ways that our communities can engage in liberation. For a range of reasons, there are and always have been folks who cannot attend rallies and protests but who continue to contribute to ending police and state violence against black people. People seek justice and support liberation in an array of ways, yet their bodies, their spirits, and their lives may not allow them to be in the streets. We believe that we will win. And we need the presence of everyone in the movement to do so. We affirm that all contributions are political, militant, and valued.
The Cut: How to Support the Struggle Against Police Brutality"Amid an ongoing pandemic, gathering to support one another carries unique risk, although for many, the calculation comes down to which danger is more immediate: the coronavirus, or police brutality. With that in mind, here’s what you can do to safely support protests right now."
KQED: 5 Ways to Show Up for Racial Justice Today"In the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday, anti-police brutality protests have reignited across the country, including in Oakland and Hayward, the latter of which had two police shootings this month. Meanwhile, many people are struggling with ways to contribute to the fight for racial justice at a time when health authorities advise that the best way to help the world right now is to stay at home. If that's you, then here are some concrete ways to be helpful while sheltering in place."
— Diversify Your Donations, Make Them Reoccuring 🤝 (@traderjosephina) May 29, 2020
Other ways to help: Donate!
DMV Organizations:
Black Lives Matter DC Legal Defense Fund"While DC does not use bail in the way other jurisdictions do, legal support is always needed. Legal support is a regular part of our work and significantly increases depending on the current situation. From Copwatch, protest support, to jail care and support, representational support all other related support, it all takes resources. Please donate to ensure we are able to continue to protect and defend Black People in DC. It is our duty to fight for our freedom, love and protect one another...- Assata"
Frontline Women DC"Founded on May 31, 2020, FLW-DC is a mutual aid group based in Washington, DC that prioritizes the needs of protestors throughout the DMV area. Our goal is to redistribute resources amongst the people where they belong, and to uplift community organizers in their protesting efforts. Over the coming weeks, we will partner with community members to distribute resources to grassroots organizers in DC as they march through the city. These resources include snack packs, first aid and COVID-19 supplies, and resources on local organizations we can all support."
Stop Police Terror Project DC"Stop Police Terror Project DC (SPTP-DC) is committed to changing the system of racist, militarized policing in our region. We work to oppose police abuses and also to build community-led peacekeeping efforts to empower oppressed communities to deal with their own security concerns."
National Organizations:
The Audre Lorde Project"Thank you for your donation to Audre Lorde Project! Every little bit helps ensure that we can continue our work for justice for all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Two Spirit, and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color!"
Black Visions Collective"Black Visions Collective (BLVC) believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems."
Black Youth Project-100"BYP100 is dedicated to improving the lived experiences of Black people. Central to our direct action and issue advocacy work, is the need to ensure that we have funds to support not only this work, but the folks that put their lives and freedom on the line."
Color of Change"Color Of Change helps you respond effectively to the injustice you see in the world around you. We effectively challenge the corporations that need to be challenged. We effectively challenge the politicians who need to be challenged. We don’t stop. Until justice is real."
Community Justice Exchange: National Bail Fund Network"The National Bail Fund Network is made up of over sixty community bail and bond funds across the country. We regularly update this listing of community bail funds that are freeing people by paying bail/bond and are also fighting to abolish the money bail system and pretrial detention."
Louisville Community 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 of safety. LCBF also maintains a focus on preventative measures for those targeted by law enforcement and threatened with incarceration. "
Minnesota Freedom Fund"The Freedom Fund remains committed to #FreeThemAll. We say again: it is wrong to cage people, to jail those who are not a risk to themselves or their communities, to imprison those who cannot afford to pay the ransom of bail, and to hold in detention those whose “crime” is being born in a different part of the world."
Reclaim the Block"By donating, you will support Reclaim the Block's work to make sure that our communities have the resources they need to thrive. Our grassroots group is up against the deep pockets of the Minneapolis police union, and we need your support."
Lifehacker: Donate to These Organizations Addressing Racism and Mental Health“Black people are experiencing unprecedented trauma,” Dr. Ebony White, an assistant clinical professor of counseling and family therapy at Drexel University told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “When we see these injustices happen over and over again, we are seeing ourselves. Black men see themselves in George Floyd. Black mothers see their sons in Tamir Rice.” If you’re not sure how to help right now, here are some organizations providing mental health services for people of color, as well as others that are working to eliminate racial health disparities—all of which are accepting donations.
The Strategist: 115 Ways to Donate in Support of Black Lives and Communities of Color"We’ve also broken up the various ways to donate by how recipients promise to use any money received, whether that’s to post bail/bonds for demonstrators arrested at protests, to purchase protective equipment to protesters on the front lines, to invest in rebuilding black communities where protests have occurred, or to invest in community enrichment programs for black and brown youth. "
ALL Black Lives Matter and so here is a list of Black LGBTQ+ led people/orgs/funds you can donate to!
Please consider matching my contributions. Bookmark this list b/c it WILL be updated all June. Black LGBTQ+ folk need the same amount of support we give.
— Diversify Your Donations, Make Them Reoccuring 🤝 (@traderjosephina) June 4, 2020
