A couple of years ago a post I wrote about donating to organizations supporting refugees went viral. I’m hoping I can leverage that same energy for this one to do the same.
Black lives matter. Repeat it till it’s heard.
Fellow white American friends, if you’re wondering what you (we!) can do, here’s a good read. Friends outside of the United States, your solidarity is welcome.
If you have money but not time or physical capacity to put your body on the line, numerous friends have suggested donating to bail funds for activists who do and can. Here’s a list of some in a handful of cities; I’m seeking to compile a more complete list as time goes on, so please leave a note in the comments or email me at jilliancyork [at] riseup [dot] net with further suggestions.
Note (Jan 2019): Here’s an updated directory of community bail funds across the US!
Baton Rouge bail fund: https://www.crowdrise.com/baton-rouge-bail-fund
Bay area anti-repression fund: https://rally.org/arcbailfund
Connecticut bail fund: http://yei.yale.edu/connecticut-bail-fund
Bronx freedom fund: http://www.thebronxfreedomfund.org/
Brooklyn community bail fund: http://www.brooklynbailfund.org/
Chicago bail fund: http://chicagobond.org/
Massachusetts bail fund: http://massbailfund.org
Here are some other excellent organizations that are working on racial justice, prison abolition, and other issues related to mass incarceration. Full comments in quotes indicate the suggestion came from a friend or other anonymous source.
- Black and Pink: An “open family of LGBTQ prisoners and free world allies” that work toward prison abolition. Funds go toward prison abolition advocacy, and meeting the immediate needs of LGBTQ and HIV+ prisoners.
- “The Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee is worth a mention. They’re a prison abolitionist group that has been doing solid work in prisons all over the US.”
- “Prisonabolition.org has a suggested list of resources and other organizations to which you can donate.”
- “Oakland’s Prison Activist Resource Center provides resource-filled directories directly to prisoners. $1.50 funds a single print directory.”
- The ACLU’s prison project works to end mass incarceration.
- “Critical Resistance is a grassroots organization that organizes against the building of prisons, seeks to support prisoners, and mobilizes communities impacted by policing.”
- “Color of Change exists to strengthen Black America’s political voice. Our goal is to empower our members – Black Americans and our allies – to make government more responsive to the concerns of Black Americans and to bring about positive political and social change for everyone.”
Don’t cry, don’t (just) share your prayers. Do something. It’s our responsibility.