artoo-detoos

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Let’s talk about Yemen, where half of the population is expected to die by the next year if they don’t get immediate help, and there has been a civil war going on since 2014.

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since i’m from the uk + probably have quite a few followers from the uk, i thought i’d gather some ways we can support black people in the uk atm (this is not comprehensive, just things i have come across, will probably add to + encourage others to add to!):

donate to black minds matter uk who are currently crowdfunding to offer free therapy sessions with black practitioners to as many black individuals + families as possible atm - donate here + their website with more info on is here 

donate to uk black lives matter here

donate to this fund in memory of belly mujinga, a railway worker who was spat at whilst at work + later died of coronavirus. the money is going towards supporting her family, including her 11 year old daughter

donate to uk black pride here 

donate to this crowdfund which is raising money to support black-owned publishers committed to inclusive publishing - the crowdfund ends in 8 days (10th june)

WRITE TO YOUR MP! u can use this website as an easy way to find your local mp + send them a message - remember to include your address so they know you’re one of their constituents. a couple of things you could include in your message to them:

demand the immediate suspension of uk sales of teargas, riot shields + rubber bullets to the US - see this article for more info about this

ask them to respond to the DELAYED release of the report into BAME covid deaths + demand the government do more to tackle the death rate - you can read the report here 

#queues? where we're going we dont need queues #if you're writing for the first time add your postcode at the end so they know your from their constituency and can help

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some carrds with petitions:

http://junkterrorbill.carrd.co 

http://parasapinas.carrd.co

since i have not seen anybody share information on this here, please pay attention to the philippines right now and provide any support you can. if this bill passes, people's basic rights to free speech will be taken from them.

anyone seeing this from the ph, please stay safe and stay strong. these are scary times.

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While people are inclined to whip out their phones and film when they see something alarming happening, those videos are not always recorded in a way that can be used as evidence in a legal proceeding or to support advocacy tactics.

At the human rights organization WITNESS, where I work as the senior U.S. program coordinator, we’ve learned that video has a greater chance of making an impact when it’s filmed ethically and strategically, and released in coordination with advocacy and legal efforts. Using the camera in your pocket can be a valuable way to ensure the world bears witness to abusive policing and systemic racism, help hold authorities accountable, and advocate for the real safety of our communities.

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pride month starts tomorrow, but don’t let that distract from continuing to protest and donate in support of black lives matter. here are some black lgbt funds to donate to if you are able:

center for black equity

homeless black trans woman fund

miss major’s monthly fundraising circle

pay black trans women

marsha p johnson institute

google doc full of organizations and funds

also, i know many pride events have been cancelled due to covid-19, but if you are going in public to protest or to another event, please be careful and wear a mask. covid is still going on through all this

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If you live outside of the US, you can still demand justice for George Floyd’s death by emailing [email protected]. Here’s a script i used for my email:

My name is ___ and I am a resident of ___. I'm emailing today on behalf of the George Floyd case. I'm calling for the prosecution of Derek Chauvin #1087 and his partner Tou Thao #7162 to the fullest extent of the law. George was arrested under an implied, nonviolent crime, and bystanders claim that he never resisted his arrest. The approach that the officers chose to take resulted in murder. This crime should not be pardoned or ignored because it was committed by the so-called officers of the law. Black lives matter.

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Protest Prep & Safety

The protests in Minneapolis over George Floyd’s death reminded me that many people don’t know the basics to protecting yourself from police brutality during a demonstration. This post is focused on combating CS gas (tear gas) 

WHEN PREPARING FOR A PROTEST:

wear a scarf, bandana, or face mask to protect your nose and mouth. this is the standard if expecting tear gas, but right now it is especially important in light of Covid-19 as well.

cover your head with a scarf or beanie, and if your have long hair, tie it up. Try to cover as much skin as possible.

wear goggles. ski or swim goggles are ideal, but if unavailable sunglasses are better than nothing.

Carry all your things in a backpack, to keep hands free & make running easier

bring water, especially if you’re planning on being outside for long

avoid makeup, especially around the eyes and mouth

avoid contact lenses if possible

TO COMBAT TEAR GAS:

don’t panic and avoid running: try to keep breathing even. stay on the lookout for people who may have fallen and are at risk of being trampled

traffic cone method: drop a traffic cone over the top of the canister, than pour water in until the canister is snuffed.

water bottle method: stick canister into a metal water bottle, shake until drowned. do not try without proper protection, especially since tear gas canisters can inflict 2nd degree burns if touched without gloves.

after exposure: use a spray bottle filled with water and baking soda (3 teaspoons powder to 8.5oz liquid) to spray face and mouth to neutralize the tear gas effects. 

take a cold shower for at least 20 minutes if you have been exposed, and keep contaminated clothes in a well ventilated area for at least 48hrs before washing 

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PLEASE SHARE. A WOMAN WAS ABDUCTED AT A PROTEST. LICENSE PLATE EEV-701. IT IS A FORD ESCAPE 2003.

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this hurts me so much

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hello! if you’ve posted ANY video regarding the protests in Minnesota, DELETE THEM. DELETE THEM NOW. PEOPLE WILL BE FOUND AND ARRESTED OR MURDERED. THIS IS SERIOUS. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO PEOPLE IN THE FERGUSON RIOTS, DO NOT LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN

IF YOU ARE STILL PROTESTING, GO HOME. THEY ARE SENDING THE NATIONAL GUARD THERE AND THEY HAVE APPARENTLY BEEN AUTHORIZED TO USE LETHAL FORCE. GO HOME, FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

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ways to support the blm movement

this google doc includes a list of petitions to sign, resources to help educate yourself and others, organizations to donate to, and contacts of law officials to get in touch with to express your support for the george floyd and black lives matter movements. this includes ways to help even if you don’t live in america. please read it and support the movement. 

use your voice. use every platform you have, no matter how big or how small. nothing will change if you just sit there and watch. if you think you’re the exception, you’re not. remaining indifferent will only support the oppressor. do something.

write to your legal representatives. express your support for legislation that would bring justice to the unarmed civilians who’ve been murdered by law enforcement officers. demand for justice. 

call 612-324-4499 ㅡ this is a hotline that will coach you on how to get connected with the people who can arrest the officers that murdered george floyd. 

create serious conversation. stop demeaning people who disagree with your philosophies on how to overcome. it is useless and no better than the practices of the oppressor to silence. we need to listen to each other with respect and really consider how we can combine our perspectives to create practical change. 

please feel free to add any links or resources or information that you think will be helpful and also reblog to spread awareness. the systems we are fighting against were literally created to oppress marginalized communities and therefore will not go down without a fight. we need to collectively stand up and do something about it. 

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This bookstore is 4 minutes from the Target that rightfully so was burned down in Minneapolis & it’s untouched. Why? They had that sign on the window since the protests started. They said no to the police attemping to use the lot around their store. They’ve fed families in the community & protesters. Apparently, they also had a medic tent up to tend to protestors. They also ship books out of state so support them if you can: moonpalacebooks.com

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You know what doesn’t sit right and will NEVER sit right...

How George Floyd, a good innocent black man went to the store to buy things who then was murdered by a police officer for suspected forgery.

Then the next day Peter Manfredonia, a white armed serial killer who was on the run across 4 states, was caught and arrested peacefully.

And how black and black ally protesters in Minneapolis protesting for the arrest of the officers who killed George Floyd, were attacked by the police. They were peaceful.

But a few weeks ago, white people stormed governments buildings in Michigan protesting the quarantine because they wanted a haircut and the police did nothing to them. They were armed.

The problem is clear as water. WHITE PRIVILEGE AND RACISM. It exists and is real. Deny it? You’re the problem. Don’t say or do anything about it? You’re the problem. Abuse your white privilege? You’re the problem. Don’t see a problem with all this? YOURE THE PROBLEM.

CRY WITH THE BLACK COMMUNITY. MOURN WITH THEM. STAND ALONG SIDE WITH THEM. FIGHT FOR THEM. BECAUSE BLACK LIVES ARE IMPORTANT AND THEY ABSOLUTELY FUCKING MATTER.

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here’s the link to donate to george floyd’s official memorial fund if you are able to contribute. if you can’t donate, please share. being black shouldn’t be a death sentence.

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what to do instead of calling the police •

here’s a thread by user a_busy_woman on twitter

„take a community class on how not to call the cops and how to deescalate [...]“

all the links in the thread

handbook for alternatives to calling the police by the UUA

the abolitionist toolkit by critical resistance

a meta resource put together by Aaron Rose

deescalation webinar on YouTube by Side with Love

a starter guide resource put together by twitter users literElly, sheabutterfemme, and MicahHerskind

bail fund for Minneapolis

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Maybe there’s someone in this abandoned clown factory who can help us