1 out of 3 Black men will be sent to prison in their lifetime vs. 1 out of 17 white men. (Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights)
Black people are 3 times more likely to be killed by the police than are white people. (Mapping Police Violence, 2019)
Black Americans and white Americans use drugs at similar rates, but Black Americans are 6 times more likely to be arrested for it. (NAACP)
99% of killings by police from 2013-2019 have not resulted in officers being charged with a crime. (Mapping Police Violence, 2019)
Use of police force is the 6th leading cause of death for young Black men in the U.S. (PNAS, 2013–2018)
These violent patterns continue because of American systems that uphold anti-Black racism, notably including the over-policing of Black individuals, which leads to police brutality and mass incarceration. The preservation of these systems furthers racial inequality in America and serves to maintain white power.
Now is the time to come together as a community and fight for Black people’s right to live. This is not a Black issue. This is a human issue. This is your issue.
Please share this information with your friends, family, and co-workers. Start conversations, raise awareness, and hold yourself accountable. Inaction is not an option. Silence is complacency.
A CALL TO ACTION.
SIGN these petitions:
- JusticeForBigFloyd.com: Demand all officers involved in Floyd’s murder be arrested and charged.
- JusticeForBreonna.org: Demand Taylor’s murderers, none of whom have been arrested, face charges.
- RunWithMaud.com: Demand Arbery’s murderer and his accomplices face just time in prison.
- More petitions can be found at colorofchange.org/campaigns/active
DONATE to these organizations:
- Campaign Zero: Help lawmakers adopt data driven policy solutions to end police brutality across America
- Black Lives Matter: Support the fight against state-sanctioned anti-Black violence and systemic racism.
- National Black Bailout Fund: Help end systems of mass incarceration and free imprisoned Black mothers..
- Louisville Community Bail Fund: Contribute to bail for protestors in Louisville.
- Black Visions Collective: Fund campaigns to empower Black communities in Minnesota.
- Reclaim the Block: Help Minneapolis community and city council members move money from the police department into areas that promote community health and safety.
CALL to demand all officers be charged for:
George Floyd’s death
- Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman | (612) 348-5550 or (612) 348-2146
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz | (651) 201-3400
- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison | (651) 296-3353
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey | (612) 673-2100 Breonna Taylor’s death
- Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell | (502) 574-6336
- Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear | (502) 564-2611
- Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron | (502) 696-5300
- Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer | (502) 574-2003
- VOTE!!! Politicians have enormous influence, not only through legislation and legal justice but also in shaping community sentiments and civilian behavior. For example, President Trump recently tweeted “when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” condoning further killings of Black Americans and directly quoting racist former Miami police Chief Walter Headley’s 1967 statement.
VOTE: Use your right and responsibility as an American to show up at the polls and support politicians committed to ending police brutality. Research presidential, congressional, state, and local candidates. Every election matters. Black voices have long been actively suppressed when it comes to voting. Use your voice to fight for theirs.
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To register to vote and to access information about your state visit: votesaveamerica.com
LEARN MORE: 13th and When They See Us on Netflix // Code Switch and 1619 in Podcasts app // New York Time’s Anti-Racist Reading List
