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Los Angeles is hurting right now. Our television sets and Twitter feeds are bombarded with images of chaos and destruction, of protest and outrage. Some of us have been in the streets and seen those images for ourselves.
Wherever you are, whatever your outlook, we urge you to remember this: at the center of all this uncertainty, outrage, and unrest is a righteous truth. An injustice against one is an injustice against us all. And right now, injustice abounds in communities around the country. It has for a long time.
George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis was an atrocity, and yet it was only one of the most recent committed against a black American by law enforcement. Outrage and anger are deserved. The time for reform is long overdue, and the moment for change—real systemic change—is upon us.
We believe black lives matter. If we want our city to flourish in the future, to meet our highest aspirations and keep our most cherished promises, then change needs to happen and it needs to happen now.
We are here for it. We are standing up. We hope you will, too.
If you want to help, here is a list of resources to consider:
Where you can donate:
The George Floyd Memorial Fund
The Minnesota Freedom Fund helps pay bail/bond fees for protestors in the state, but is also suggesting other organizations to donate to as well.
Campaign Zero, a national organization aimed at ending police violence.
Black Visions Collective, based in Minnesota.
Peoples City Council Freedom Fund: This L.A.-based fund helps pay for legal support, bail, fees, medical costs, and more for protestors arrested here in Los Angeles. They also provide direct monetary support to Black Lives Matter Los Angeles.
Reclaim The Block, funds help organize Minneapolis community and city council members to move money from the police department into other areas of the city’s budget that promote community health and safety.
Can’t decide? Click here to split your donation among several relevant groups.
How you can take action:
Support a local black-owned restaurant. Or a black-owned coffeeshop. Or find more black-owned businesses here. Or here!
Follow key organizations, like Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, Colors of Change, Showing Up for Racial Justice, the ACLU, and the Innocence Project.
Go to a protest. But remember, COVID-19 is still active in our community. Wash your hands, wear a facial covering, practice social distancing, and stay home if you’re sick!
Check out the People’s Budget, dedicated to making sure Los Angeles’s budget reflects the values and needs of the city.
Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by Louisville Police while she slept in her own apartment. Visit JusticeforBreonna.org to find out how you can take action right now.
Resources for learning:
Black Lives Matter L.A. has three toolkits you can download: Healing Action Toolkit, Chapter Conflict Resolution Toolkit, and #TalkAbout Trayvon: A Toolkit for White People. They have a reading list, too.
This Google doc is full of great resources for white people who want to be better allies and engage in anti-racism work.
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