Here’s How You Can Help Bring Justice to George Floyd’s Death
The recent horrifying killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd have sparked widespread protests against systemic racism and police brutality in America, as people have taken to the streets to make their voices heard in hundreds of cities across the nation.
On February 23, Arbery, a 25-year-old black man, was out for a run near his neighborhood in Satilla Shores, Georgia, when he was shot and killed by two white men, who reportedly thought he looked like a potential suspect in recent break-ins. On March 13, Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman, was shot and killed while she was sleeping in Louisville, Kentucky, by police officers who forcefully entered her apartment. And on Monday, May 25, Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed by a white former police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who forcefully knelt on his neck until he could no longer breathe.
Arbery’s, Taylor’s, and Floyd’s deaths forced many people to consider the privilege and protection provided just by the color of their skin and served as another reminder of the institutional racism that is so prevalent throughout our country. It’s clear that there’s not enough accountability where it matters, and absolutely none of this is okay.
At this point, the killings and subsequent protests are no longer just news, but also part of history. Protests have been happening for a week; the vast majority of them are peaceful, but in some situations, the civil unrest has elevated to destruction and looting. Journalists have been arrested and abused, threatening our freedom of press.
We must continue to amplify the right voices when it comes to racial injustices. Whether you are participating in protests or if you want to do as much as you can from home, in the form of signing a petition and making a donation, here are just a few of the organizations demanding justice in the wake of George’s, Ahmaud’s, and Breonna’s unjust deaths that are worthy of your donations right now and always:
Local Bail Funds
Atlanta
Chicago
Columbus
Los Angeles
Minneapolis *
New York
Philadelphia
* The Minneapolis bail fund has received over $20 million in donations, and it is now directing people to donate directly to George Floyd’s family or to local organizations—especially those led by blacks and BIPOC. George’s brother Philonise has set up a GoFundMe account for his family, and you can donate here; per the GoFundMe, donations will go toward funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and other charges as the family continues to find justice for George.
The NAACP Legal Defense Fund
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to “secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.” You can donate directly to the NAACP legal defense fund to help fight racial injustice here.
The LGBTQ Freedom Fund
This bail fund provides relief to LGBTQ+ people held in jail. “In tandem, we raise awareness of the epidemic of LGBTQ overincarceration. We strive towards a critical mass against mass detention.” You can donate here.
Color of Change
You can donate to the largest online racial justice organization in the country here. You can sign this petition, which calls for the police officers who killed Floyd to be charged with murder, here or by texting “FLOYD” to 55156. The petition has more than a million signatures.
Black Lives Matter
You can donate to the national organization here or to a local chapter.
National Association of Black Journalists
The NABJ is the nation’s largest group of black journalists and helps to promote diversity in newsrooms across America. You can donate here.
American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU fights to protect civil liberties, including criminal justice, prisoners’ rights, and racial justice. You can donate here.
You Might Also Like
