Black Lives Matters: How to Help

Hey guys,

I hope you’re all doing well during these crazy times. I just wanted to come on here with what I’ve been up to.

First, I attended a peaceful protest in Boca Raton, FL a few days ago. I felt it was my duty to stand with my fellow brothers and sisters despite all of the craziness we have been seeing on TV. I am so happy I did, because it was extremely peaceful and extremely powerful! #blacklivesmatter✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 

Second, I have also been sharing my support to the community on social media. I know a lot of people get annoyed with the fact that phones are always out, people are always taking selfies and documenting their lives. Well, low and behold, it is paying off! Why? Well, FB Lives, IG Lives, Unedited Videos, Unedited Photos don’t lie! We are seeing first hand, WHO is actually looting!

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that no black people are involved. What I am saying is that Black people are not the only ones involved. WE have been pegged as the ONLY instigators of this behavior for yearsss and now we see that, bro that ain’t it. Yep, things are coming to the light and I am here for it!

Next, I want to share some ways you can also help by donating. Just know, that no matter how small ALL help is appreciated!

1. Where To Donate

Direct aid for victims’ families:

• George Floyd’s family has started a GoFundMe to cover funeral and burial costs; counseling services; legal fees; and continued care for his children. There’s also a GoFundMe to provide for his 6-year-old daughter, Gianna Floyd, and a GoFundMe to support “peace and healing” for Darnella Frazier, the woman who filmed Floyd’s death.

• Elijah McClain’s mom, Sheneen McClain, started a GoFundMe after her son was hospitalized last year. The fundraiser is ongoing.

• There’s a GoFundMe for David McAtee’s mother and family: McAtee was fatally shot just after midnight on June 1, after police officers and National Guard members fired into a crowd of people who were not taking part in the evening’s protests. As of June 30, it was still about $120,000 short of its goal.

• Another GoFundMe is raising money for Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, donations to which will similarly fund the family’s legal battle.

• There’s a GoFundMe for Breonna Taylor’s family, to help with legal fees and offer extra support.

• Attorneys for the family of Rayshard Brooks, who was fatally shot by a white Atlanta police officer on June 12, set up a GoFundMe to raise money for his wife and four children.

• Diamond Alexander launched a GoFundMe after her brother, Robert Fuller, was found dead and hanging from a tree in Palmdale, California. Officials initially suggested Fuller died by suicide, but his family suspects he may have been murdered.

• There’s also a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses for Malcolm Harsch, whose body was found hanging from a tree in Victorville, California, on May 31.

Bail funds: ActBlue has a page that will let you split your donation between 38 community bail funds, or if you’d like to focus your donation directly, here are some options.

• The Bail Project, a nonprofit that aims to mitigate incarceration rates through bail reform.

• The Louisville Community Bail Fund is helping bail out arrested protesters and works to counteract cash bail policies that keep people — disproportionately, people of color — in jail, even without charges.

• The National Bail Fund Network also has a directory of community bail funds to which you can donate, along with a COVID-19 rapid response fund.

• Another list of bail funds is available here, and another list of bail funds by city.

View this post on Instagram

This is so Powerful! Brought tears to my eyes! Say his name! #GeorgeFloyd! #payattention #staywoke . . #Repost @mysonnenygeneral • • • • • • #LiveFromTheFrontLine … Minneapolis Protest .Moment of Silence For #GorgeFloyd #SayHisName @cnn Post This!! Stop Posting that Negative Bullshit!! We are Unified!!

A post shared by Dawn gibson-thigpen (@simplysassystyle) on May 30, 2020 at 3:48pm PDT

Support for protesters:

• Blackout Collective, a full-service, direct-action organization, has a fund to support Black-led protests on the ground.

• A Gas Mask Fund for Black youth activists in Minneapolis is raising money to buy gas masks for demonstrators who’ve faced tear gas during protests.

• The Black Trans Protestors Emergency Fund is raising money for physical resources, bail, and medical care for Black, transgender protesters, which will be redistributed to Black, trans-led organizations “in the event these funds don’t need to be used.” See this FAQ for any payment questions.

• The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which supports racial justice through advocacy, litigation, and education.

• The Legal Rights Center is a non-profit law firm based in Minneapolis, offering legal defense, educational, and advocacy services.

• Black Visions Collective, a Black, trans, and queer-led social justice organization and legal fund based in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

• The Know Your Rights Camp, an organization founded by Colin Kaepernick that provides education and training in Black and brown communities, set up a legal fund for Minneapolis protesters.

Lastly, if you are feeling confused about everything that’s going on, education is key and helps most of all. Please take the time to learn and listen!

Additionally, “When it’s bad, pray! When it’s good, pray!”

#Blacklivesmatter✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 

(Side Bar: Check out my friend Monica Siembieda YouTube Post on how some MLM Reps are reaching an all time low by trying to make a profit off the BLM’s movement)