By Maeji Gi
Tens of thousands of people are banding together in major cities and rural towns demanding justice for victims of police brutality and racial injustice. Protests are taking streets by storm as they continue to fight for racial equality and basic human rights for African Americans. The nation is speaking up and striving to put an end to the toleration of systemic racism after the death of George Floyd and several other innocent victims.
The image of people persevering and actively making a change in the world leaves many wondering what they can do to help this movement. There are several Black Lives Matter supporters that are unable to participate in physical protests due to health problems or personal reasons. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is also a serious issue that limits a lot of people from going out at all, let alone protesting in such close proximity with other people in protests. However, protests are not the only way to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Instead, people who want to support the change can donate to programs and groups whose sole purpose is to support the movement.
Donations, no matter the size, can help support the Black Lives Matter movement by helping fund organizations so they can make policy changes, pay off bail funds, and victim relief. Funds will always help BLM organizations get things done quicker and easier.
When considering donating to the Black Lives Matter movement, some might be concerned with whether or not their contribution is going to make a change or if it is going towards the right cause. If you plan on donating, make sure to research as much as possible so you know exactly how your money is going to be used. Become familiar with the organization you want to donate to and ensure their credibility. For example, donating to the website change.org should also be avoided since your money will go to change.org itself instead of the movement (nevertheless, change.org is a good place to sign petitions to support BLM). Remember that donations are not mandatory if you cannot donate at the moment. Instead, you can still help the movement by signing petitions.
Here is a compilation of possible places and causes to donate to:
1. Official George Floyd Memorial Fund: Donate Here
A white Minneapolis police officer pinned Floyd down by the neck with his knee, obstructing his ability to breathe. As Floyd was being pinned down mercilessly, he pleaded “I can’t breathe” for over 8 minutes until he passed. George Floyd was brutally murdered by this white cop while three other police officers stood to the side and watched Floyd be brutalized, without stepping in to help. By donating to this page, you will be helping George Floyd’s family pay the hefty costs for funeral and burial services and mental health counseling.
2. Justice for Breonna Taylor: Donate Here
Louisville police officers performed an illegal raid on Breonna Taylor’s house as they were looking for a suspect. However, that suspect was caught earlier that day. Breonna was shot and killed in her own home even though she had nothing to do with the actual suspect. These officers are still running free and have not been charged for their crimes. This fund will help support Breonna’s family and in fighting for her justice.
3. Justice for Elijah McClain: Donate Here
Elijah McClain was a 23-year old massage therapist that also planned to go to college. Last year Elijah was tackled and injected with large doses of ketamine because the two officers believed him wearing a ski mask was “sketchy” and suspicious, when in reality, Elijah wore a ski mask because he had anemia, a condition that makes him feel colder quicker and the mask keeps him warm. Elijah was a pure soul that had his life taken away from him. This fund will help gain justice for Elijah and support his family.
4. I Run with Maud (Ahmaud Arbery): Donate Here
Ahmaud Arbery was gunned down by Greg and Travis McMicheal because they “assumed” he was a burglar. Arbery was just going for a run and these men took his life. By donating to this fund, you will be financially supporting Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, and her family during these hard times.
5. Justice for Jamee Johnson: Donate Here
On December 14th, 2019, Jamee Johnson was shot four times by Jacksonville, Florida’s sheriff department. Jamee has a promising future but it was cut short by these police officers. The money donated to this fund will assist in funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, travel costs for court proceedings, and attorney fees.
6. Darrien Hunt Memorial Fund: Donate Here
22-year old Darrien Hunt was shot and killed by two officers in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Hunt was cosplaying as a fictional anime character and had a fake sword. The officers took no time to view this as a “serious threat” and shot him. If it were anyone else but a young black man possessing a fake sword none of this would have happened. All donations to this fund will go directly to Darrien Hunt’s mother, Susan, who is slowly paying off funeral expenses, working a minimum wage job, supporting three other children, and paying rent.
7. Homeless Black Trans Women Fund: Donate Here
Black transgender women suffer from homelessness and poverty. The majority are also sex workers and living on the streets poses a huge threat to their lives since there are many that are not accepting of the trans (LGBTQ) community. Many also struggle with STIs and the money donated can help them get proper treatment and be healthier. This fund will help fight the homelessness of black trans women, ensuring a safer living environment.
8. Split Donations Between Multiple Bail Funds: Donate Here
This website helps split your donations between several bail funds at once so your money is put into good use to free protestors throughout the nation.
9. National Bail Fund: Donate Here
Donating to this fund will free people by paying community bails/bonds and contribute to abolishing the money bail system. This website has a constantly updated list of community bail and bond funds across the country.
10. Fund Black Trans Women and Non-Binary People in MN: Donate Here
This fund will be used to enact political change that will benefit young black women, black LGBTQ and non-binary, and other POC communties and initiatives. Donations will also be used to distribute resources to those on the frontlines of the BLM movement (medical supplies, food, and transportation). All funds will be sent to the Women for Political Change (Political Action Fund) in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
11. Support Black-owned businesses: Donate Here
This organization helps support small black-owned businesses and they are the United States main directory for black entrepreneurs. The donations will help them support black-owned businesses in the midst of the movement and this pandemic.
12. NAACP Legal Defence Fund: Donate Here
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s main goal is to fight against racial injustice in America. As this country’s premier legal organization, they advocate for democracy and racial justice to achieve the long overdue goal of equality amongst all Americans. These funds will go to defending the civil rights of the vulnerable.
13. COVID-19 Testing, Advocacy, and Education: Donate Here
African Americans are being diagnosed with coronavirus at a disproportionately higher rate. There are also higher mortality rates due to the virus in the black community compared to other marginalized groups. America has been plagued by institutional racism for decades and it is still present in our healthcare system today. Formed by the Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium, this fund aims to provide coronavirus tests to hard hit areas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania while also educating African Americans on the disease.
14. COVID-19 Protest Relief Fund: Donate Here
As many gather on the streets of major cities protesting racial injustice and discrimination, the deadly COVID-19 virus is still active. These protestors might not be in the position to afford proper testing or treatment if they contract the virus. By donating to this fund, you will help provide protestors who have coronavirus or have sustained injuries during protests with the right resources to recover.
Sources
Mansoor, Sanya. “How to Help Black Lives Matter Movement, Protesters.” Time, Time, 9 June 2020, time.com/5849721/how-to-help-black-lives-matter-protests/.
Kane, Danielle. Better Business Bureau. “How to Ensure Your Black Lives Matter Donation Makes a Difference.” The Coos Bay World, 3 July 2020, theworldlink.com/opinion/columnists/how-to-ensure-your-black-lives-matter-donation-makes-a-difference/article_16ddadb0-b750-11ea-8ec8-47a6cd894f0b.html.
Ways To Help, blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSrT26HMWX_hlLfiyy9s95erjkOZVJdroXYkU-miaHRk58duAnJIUWKxImRkTITsYhwaFkghS8sfIF/pub#h.er6chqxx605i
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