Last edit: 6/15/2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 3
WHAT’S GOING ON? 4
LIST OF INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWS SOURCES PROVIDING UPDATES 4
NOTE ABOUT NEWS SOURCES 4
HISTORY OF POLICE BRUTALITY 4
WHAT CAN I DO? 5
TAKING IMMEDIATE ACTION 5
PROTEST 5
LEGAL AID & RESOURCES FOR PROTESTORS 6
AID PROTESTORS 14
DIRECT AID 14
DONATE 15
FOR VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY/ANTIBLACK VIOLENCE 15
MEMORIAL FUNDS 15
FOR THOSE INJURED/IN NEED OF AID FROM PROTESTS 16
BAIL FUNDS, MUTUAL AID, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES 16
WAYS TO GIVE MORE 24
DONATING WITHOUT FUNDS 24
FIND PEOPLE TO MATCH YOUR DONATIONS 24
NOTE ABOUT DONATIONS 25
CONTACT OFFICIALS 25
BY PHONE 25
BY EMAIL 28
SIGN PETITIONS 29
SPREAD AWARENESS 37
INDIRECT ACTION 38
EDUCATE YOURSELF ON ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING 38
EDUCATE OTHERS ON RACISM 38
RESOURCES FOR CREATING YOUR OWN EDUCATIONAL TOOLS 38
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATING KIDS 38
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATING FAMILY/FRIENDS 38
ATTEND A WORKSHOP OR SEMINAR 39
BUILD A MUTUAL AID NETWORK 39
HOW CAN I EDUCATE MYSELF FURTHER? 40
READ ABOUT POLICING AND PRISON ABOLITION 40
INTRODUCTION 40
THE HARM OF POLICING AND PRISONS 40
ABOLITIONISM 41
READ ABOUT BLACK ACTIVISM 41
READ ABOUT ANTI-RACISM, ALLYSHIP AND SOLIDARITY 42
ANTI-RACISM READINGS AND RESOURCES 42
FOR NON-BLACK POC 42
FOR WHITE ALLIES 43
INTRODUCTION
This list of resources is for individuals who are looking to take action but are unsure where to begin. It assumes that the reader has already understood that police brutality is an ongoing issue affecting the black community, and would like to educate themselves and provide aid in any way they can.
I have compiled links to resources that I’ve seen floating around, and done my best to source as much as possible. The purpose of this document is to compile as much information that’s been readily available as possible. As a non-black person of color, I want to recognize that I cannot dictate what a protest in response to violence facing black communities should look like. This document serves as a means of compiling already present resources and information.
If you have any resources that you would like to add, or any corrections to make to this document, please contact me via @abjectcriticism on Twitter.
WHAT’S GOING ON?
LIST OF INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWS SOURCES PROVIDING UPDATES
- Unicorn Riot- Independent news source with live video streams
- Sahan Journal- Nonprofit newsroom covering Minnesota's immigrants & refugees
- Minnesota Spokesman Recorder- Original Minnesota news and stories from an African American point of view
NOTE ABOUT NEWS SOURCES
- Be aware of fraudulent information, accounts, tweets:
- Keep in mind that many local news sources may have a police-bias
HISTORY OF POLICE BRUTALITY
IN MINNESOTA
IN CHICAGO
WHAT CAN I DO?
TAKING IMMEDIATE ACTION
PROTEST
WHAT TO KNOW
MEDICAL AID FOR PROTESTORS
GET TESTED FOR COVID-19
FREE MEDICAL AID:
RESOURCES FOR PROTESTORS BY STATE
Minnesota
- Community laundry services for people needing laundry
- Email: thepeopleslaundry@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thepeopleslaundrympls
- National Lawyers Guild MN Chapter- offering bail support
- Noah M. Johnson “I am willing to give free legal advice to anyone associated with tonight’s protests”
- Attorney Nico Ratkowski offering pro bono services to protesters in Minneapolis or St. Paul (Tweet)
- (651) 771-0019 (office)
- Or DM on Twitter at @NicoRatkowski
Arizona
- Attorney Ryan Stevens offering free representation to protesters (Tweet)
- Attorney offering free services (Tweet)
- DM on Twitter at @dampweb
- Also offering assistance across AZ, but most able to assist in Phoenix
- Attorney David J. Jon willing to represent protesters pro-bono on a case by case basis (Tweet)
Arkansas
- Attorney willing to represent protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
- DM on Twitter at @ImRichBitchDuh
California
- Attorney Javier Guerrero willing to represent protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
- Offering free legal services or referrals to attorneys, specifically in Alameda County, San Francisco County, Marin County, Santa Clara County (Tweet)
- Attorney offering pro-bono legal help (Tweet)
- DM on Twitter at @BehemothDog
- Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership offering legal assistance for unocumented persons (Tweet)
- 510-241-1011
- NOTE: this is a hotline in which a legal responder will follow up with you
- NOTE: the tweet does not specify that this assistance is pro-bono, but it is in a pro-bono thread
- Attorney Chelsie Dmalta willing to represent protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
- DM on Twitter at @thevainbrain
- Attorney willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Andrew Darling willing to represent protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
- National Lawyers Guild LA Chapter
- Will be wearing neon green hats & providing help on the ground
- (310) 313-3700
- Attorney Akilah Green willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
Colorado
- Attorney Ross Ziev offering services pro-bono (Tweet)
DC
- Attorney Caleb Kruckenberg willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- NOTE- prioritizing peaceful protestors
- Attorney Anthony Ruiz willing to represent protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
- DM on Twitter at @AnthonyRuizz
Florida
- Attorney Neil Blackmon willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Neil Blackmon willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Rier Jordan Law Firm willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Law Offices of Daniel Martinez, PLLC offering services to protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
Georgia
- Attorney J Shipp willing to rep 5 protesters. (Tweet)
- Attorney Lawrence Zimmerman willing to represent protesters pro bono (Tweet)
- Atl Jail Support: Line couldn't be set up
- Attorney willing to rep 5 protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Adam Brown willing to represent protesters pro bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Andre J. Smith offering free legal services to protesters (Tweet)
Illinois
- Chicago Community Bond Fund
- Chicago Bail Project (DO NOT CALL UNTIL BAIL IS SET AT HEARING)
- Attorney Derrick Morgan, Jr donating (pro bono) services to protesters arrested in Chicago, Indianapolis, or Louisville. (Tweet)
- Saeed and Little Law Firm donating (pro bono) services to protesters arrested in Chicago, Indianapolis, or Louisville (Tweet // Facebook)
- Feed The People is doing free grocery delivery
- Attorney Andrea Bonds willing to represent protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Craig Campbell offering pro-bono representation for bond hearings (Tweet)
Indiana
- Attorney Derrick Morgan, Jr donating (pro bono) services to protesters arrested in Chicago, Indianapolis, or Louisville. (Tweet)
- Attorney donating (pro bono) services to protesters arrested in Chicago, Indianapolis, or Louisville (Tweet // Facebook)
- Law firms and bail funds offering services to protesters (Tweet)
- 404-689-1519 (CALL FOLLOWING ARREST)
Kansas
- Attorney Cooper Overstreet offering pro-bono legal services to protesters (Tweet)
Kentucky
- Attorney Derrick Morgan, Jr donating (pro bono) services to protesters arrested in Chicago, Indianapolis, or Louisville. (Tweet)
- Attorney donating (pro bono) services to protesters arrested in Chicago, Indianapolis, or Louisville (Tweet // Facebook)
Louisiana
- New Orleans and Lafayette
- Attorney willing to connect protestors with pro bono lawyers (Tweet)
- DM on Twitter at @FodderyFodder
Maryland
- Attorney Chris Topher Mosh willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
Massachusetts
- Attorney Oren Nimni Lawyers for Civil Rights offering representation and legal services to protesters for free (Tweet)
Michigan
- Detroit Bail Project is bailing protesters out $5000 or less, send name and birthday if possible (Tweet)
- Detroit/Michigan chapter of the National Lawyers Guild offering support to protesters (Tweet)
- (313) 925-2626
- NOTE: the tweet itself does not identify their services as pro-bono, although it is part of a pro-bono thread
Missouri
- Attorney Marleen S willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Stacy Shaw willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Natasha Scruggs willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- One Struggle KC offering bail assistance (Tweet)
- tinyurl.com/1skcbailform
- call/text 816.974.6169
- Kansas Community Bail Fund offering bail assistance (Tweet)
Nebraska
- Attorney Gregory Rosen willing to represent protestors pro-bono. (Tweet)
- Attorney Allison Heimes offering free representation to protesters (Tweet)
- Attorney Brian Fahey willing to represent protestors pro-bono. (Tweet)
- Attorney Allison Heimes willing to represent protestors pro-bono. (Tweet)
New Mexico
- Attorney willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Jacob Candelaria willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Brian Fahey willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Kidd Corvey and Simpson LLC willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
Nevada
- Attorney Mitchell Bisson willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- 702-385-3343
- Text 616-295-7414
New York
- All of New York: Attorney willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- NYC
- National Lawyers Guild NYC
- GoodCall hotline to be connected to family members or a free lawyer if arrested
- Attorney Benson Michael willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Priya G willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- DM @littlebite14 on twitter
- Has contacts in other states for folks outside of ny/nj
- Will not offer pro bono services/advice to anyone who has been charged with the following: assault of an officer, destruction of property, possession of stolen goods, theft, or looting
- Attorney Paul Prestia offering pro-bono representation to protesters (Tweet)
North Carolina
- Hall and Dixon Law Firm willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney offering representation and legal advice to protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
- DM on Twitter at @atty_jm
- Firm offering free representation (Tweet)
- Attorney Damon Chetson willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
Ohio
- Attorney Taylor Waters willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney willing to represent some protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- DM on Twitter @JamSaidThat on twitter
- The Law Offices of Joshua C. Evans offering pro-bono services to protesters (Tweet)
- Esparza Rivero Law Firm willing to represent peaceful protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
- (216) 245-3113
- They speak Spanish
- Attorney Diane Menashe willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- diane.menashe@icemiller.com
Oklahoma
- Attorney willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
Pennsylvania
- Attorney willing to offer representation and legal advice pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Lisa Middleman willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Randall H. McKinney willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
Rhode Island
- Attorney Donna Uhlmann willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
South Carolina
- Columbia and Richland County
- Attorney Nick Mermigees willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
Tennessee
- The Law Offices of A.N.Brown, P.C. offering services pro-bono (Tweet)
Texas
- Attorney willing to represent protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
- DM on Twitter at @ImRichBitchDuh
- The Law Office of Aishah McCoy, ASQ offering pro-bono legal services to protesters (Tweet)
- DM on Instagram at @amccoyatlaw
- Attorney Tycha Kimbrough willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Matthew Manning willing to represent protesters pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Jasmine Crockett willing to represent protesters taken into custody (Tweet)
- Asante Legal PLLC willing to represent protesters taken into custody (Tweet)
- 972-515-2959 - If texting, text your full first and last name, DOB, and emergency contact number for your friend or family
- Ekeh Law Firm, PLLC willing to represent protesters for free (Tweet)
- 469-351-9684
- ALSO AVAILABLE IN FORT WORTH
- Attorney Eric Sundin will represent protesters arrested pro bono. (Tweet)
- Support for protesters in Texas from the Texas Civil Rights Project
- Attorneys Joy Thomas and Derek Childress Jr who will represent protesters arrested pro bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Marcus Esther willing to represent protesters pro bono (PRO BONO NOT GUARANTEED) (Tweet)
- McAllen or Edinburg and surrounding arreas
- Attorney Orlando Mercado willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Ricardo Briones willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Rashin Mazaheri willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney Ted Wenske willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
Utah
- Attorney Brian Jackson offering pro-bono services to protesters (Tweet)
- 801-441-8922
- They speak spanish
Washington
- Attorney Lori Guevara willing to represent protestors pro-bono (Tweet)
- Attorney offering pro-bono services (Tweet)
- DM on Twitter at @RachMEsq
- Attorney Michael Schueler directing those that need “support” to the following resources (Tweet)
- National Lawyers Guild: 206.658.7963
- King County Public Defender: 206.477.8899
- Attorney Alexandra Wilson willing to represent protestors pro bono (Tweet)
United Kingdom
- Attorney Alexandra Wilson willing to represent protestors pro bono (Tweet)
AID PROTESTORS
DIRECT AID
- On The Ground Chi is getting protestors PPE, masks, and first aid on the eve of tomorrow's protests
- @OnTheGroundChi on Venmo, Paypal.me/OnTheGroundCh on PayPal
- NOTE: DO NOT INCLUDE blm, blacklivesmatter, etc IN YOUR PAYMENT NOTE; IT MAY GET BLOCKED
- $voxpayne on CashApp (on the ground, supplies and hospital bail fund)
- @femmeempowermentproject on Venmo (on the ground, supplies/herbal medicine care)
- @nadirahmcgill on Venmo (medical supplies, portable generators, and other materials)
- @Isak-Douah on venmo, $Isakdouah on cashapp, isak.douah@gmail.com on PayPal (buying gas masks for protestors)
- @vanessa-gadberry on venmo, $vanessaGadberry on cashapp, vannylaine@gmail.com on paypal (supplies and protective gear for protestors)
- @Fadumo_Ali on venmo, $saintfadumo on cashapp, fatuma_ali24@yahoo.com on PayPal (protective gear for small group of organizers/activists, all excess funds will go to bail fund)
- @lucina-kayee on venmo, $LucinaBKayee on cashapp (supplies and compensating youth who have lost income)
- $rlaw9898 on cashapp (medical supplies)
- @danez-smith on venmo, https://www.paypal.me/danezsmith (food, supplies, toys for kids, etc. North mpls)
- @femmeempowermentproject on venmo (on the ground, supplies/herbal medicine care)
- @claire-fallon-1 (supplies, groceries, etc., any additional funds will be donated to femme empowerment project)
DONATE
Donate to individual protestors
FOR VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY/ANTIBLACK VIOLENCE
MEMORIAL FUNDS
- David McAtee - murdered on June 1st 2020
- Sharmel Edwards - gunned down in April 2012 by 5 LAPD officers
- Greg Hill - murdered on Jan 24th 2014 by police responding to a loud music complaint. Family was awarded $4 in compensation following trial
- Breonna Taylor - murdered in her own apartment on March 13th 2020 | GOAL REACHED
- Mychael Johnson - murdered on March 20th 2020 | GOAL REACHED
- George Floyd - murdered on May 25th 2020 for allegedly using counterfeit bill | GOAL REACHED
- Regis Korchinski - murdered on May 27th 2020 | GOAL REACHED
- Dion Johnson- murdered on Memorial Day 2020 for pulling over and sleeping in his car on the freeway | GOAL REACHED
- AJ Sutton - murdered on May 28th 2020 | GOAL REACHED
- Destiny Harrison- murdered on Dec 9th 2019 | GOAL REACHED
- Jamee Johnson- murdered on Dec 14th 2019
- Italia Kelly- murdered on Jun 1st 2020
- Belly Mujinga - died of COVID on April 5th 2020 after being spat on by a man who claimed to have coronavirus
FOR THOSE INJURED/IN NEED OF AID FROM PROTESTS
- COVID-19 Protest Relief Fund - funding COVID-19 healthcare costs for protestors in NYC
- Brandon Saenz - shot with rubber bullet at protest in Dallas (also here)
- Daniel Uribe - attacked and sustained severe head wound at protest in Minneapolis
- Benjamin Rogotzke - shot with rubber bullet at protest in Minneapolis
- Jai- stabbed at protest in Naperville
- @MoMoney2391 on Venmo - wheelchair was broken at protest in Seattle
- Saraneka “Nemo” Martin - pregnant woman, knocked out and shot with rubber bullet at protest in Austin
- Norman Truman - shot in the head with rubber bullet at Minneapolis protest
- Leslie - grandmother, shot in the head with rubber bullet at La Mesa protest
- Keshawn - girlfriend was shot in the nose with rubber bullet at Lincoln, NE protests
- Linda Tirado - journalist, shot and blinded in one eye with rubber bullet at Minneapolis protest
LEGAL AID FOR THOSE WRONGFULLY ARRESTED AT PROTESTS
BAIL FUNDS, MUTUAL AID, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES
SPLITS DONATION BETWEEN 40 BAIL FUNDS - continually adding more cities!
COLOR CODE:
- BOND/BAIL FUND OR LEGAL AID
MUTUAL AID
- OTHER/GENERAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE
National:
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawai’i
Illinois
Indiana
- The Bail Project — This is a national project, but specifically helps people in Indianapolis
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
- Freedom Fighter Bail Bond — Please click the checkbox under “Freedom Fighter Bond Fund Designation”
- NC Freedom Fund- PayPal: NCFreedomfund@gmail.com // CashApp = $NcFreedomfund
- Alamance County
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
- Harris, Dallas, Bexar Counties
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Paypal: FreeThe350BailFund@gmail.com
Canada
United Kingdom
MORE SOURCES-
WAYS TO GIVE MORE
DONATING WITHOUT FUNDS
- NOTE: when watching these videos, ad revenue will NOT be counted unless volume is 50% or higher and video is not paused
FIND PEOPLE TO MATCH YOUR DONATIONS
- Kyle Mooney: up to $10,000, DM receipt for donation to @kylemooney on instagram
- Aidy Bryant: up to $10,000, DM receipt for donation to @aidybryant on instagram
- Bobby Moynihan: up to $10,000, DM receipt for donation to @bibbymoynihan on instagram
- Bleachers Music: up to $10,000, DM receipt for donation to @bleachersmusic
NOTE ABOUT DONATIONS
CONTACT OFFICIALS
BY PHONE
*NOTE
- The likelihood of getting through to an answering machine or representative is low, but calling and boosting the call numbers is still helpful.
- IF CALLING CONGRESS- Keep in mind that your address and zip code might be cross referenced with a constituent database. This means if you don’t live in the area the person on the other end WILL NOT record your opinion and you’ll just be wasting your breath and hogging up the phone lines.
From Letter, Phone Call Templates, and Information
- For Congress members (Representatives and Senators)
SCRIPT:
- Hello, how are you doing today? I'm well. I’m calling today to demand that the (insert title here) respond to the President’s designation of Antifa as a terrorist group. I want to know exactly what measures and legislation the (congressmember, representative, insert title here) will support to not only demilitarize police, but denounce the President’s classification of Antifa as a terrorist organization.
- Antifa isn’t an organization and has no leadership or hierarchy. By designating them as a terrorist organization, the President has given law enforcement free reign to treat them as enemy combatants and ignore their constitutional protections. How is your office going to respond to this attack on free speech? What is the (title of person) going to do to protect Americans as they fight in the streets for a better future? I don’t want to hear about your email newsletter or your press statement, I want results.
- The President literally tweeted “when the looting starts the shooting starts” and now his administration is taking steps to ensure that can actually happen without any repercussions. What are you going to do about this? This is absolutely ridiculous and I demand that the (title of person) unequivocally condemn his language and move towards curtailing this crazy abuse of power.
- I also want to know whether or not the (title of person) will be supporting the EARN It Act. This bill is a bullshit way to invade the privacy of Americans and further erode freedom of speech. I demand that the (title of person) move to immediately condemn this bill if they are not co-sponsors. If they are co-sponsors, please explain to me why they support the invasion of privacy and the destruction of the first amendment. They need to get a statement out immediately to condemn all of this and to clearly explain what they’re going to do to fight this and how.
- Mike Freeman, Hennepin County Attorney
SCRIPT:
- Hello, my name is [your name].
I’m calling because I demand accountability for the racist murder of George Floyd. I demand that you press charges against all of the officers involved in the incident, including Derek Chain and TOu Thao. George Floyd should be alive today, and all cops involved must be held accountable for his murder in order to get justice for George’s family and prevent this brutality and violence from happening in the future. Thank you.
SCRIPT
- Hello, my name is [your name].
I’m calling because I demand accountability for the racist murder of George Floyd. I demand that you hold Minneapolis Police Officers accountable now and in the future to assure that this never happens again. George Floyd should be alive today, and all cops involved must fave consequences for his murder in order to get justice for George’s family and prevent this brutality and violence from happening in the future. Thank you.
- Jacob Frey, Minneapolis Mayor
SCRIPT:
- Hello, my name is [your name].
I’m calling because I demand accountability for the racist murder of George Floyd. I urge you to defund the Minneapolis Police Department during the special budget session and instead invest in community programs that will help reduce the amount of violence in Minneapolis. George Floyd should be alive today, and we must start providing more support towards community efforts in order to prevent this brutality and violence from happening in the future. Thank you.
SCRIPT:
- Hello, my name is [insert name], and I live in [insert city, town or neighborhood]. As a member of this community, I want justice for George Floyd -- a man killed mercilessly by the Minneapolis Police. The investigation into his killing should be independent, fair and conducted by the Attorney General’s office. I’m calling on you to transfer the prosecution of the police who killed George Floyd to the Minnesota Attorney General and to appoint a Special Assistant Attorney General to lead the prosecution. The Hennepin County Attorney’s office works every day with Minneapolis Police and has failed to bring charges in past police killings. I don’t trust the county attorney to fairly prosecute this case. Your appointment of a special prosecutor will send a clear message to the community that you value justice for George Floyd. Thank you.
- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
SCRIPT:
- Hello, my name is [insert name], and I live in [insert city, town or neighborhood]. I’m calling to urge your office to accept and advocate for a special prosecutor to prosecute the Minneapolis police who killed George Floyd. I know that people are in pain. We are angry and reeling from yet another senseless killing of a Black man. The Hennepin County Attorney works with Minneapolis Police every day, and his office has failed to bring charges in past police killings. That’s why we need your office to prosecute these officers. Please help us heal the community by showing your commitment to justice for George Floyd. Thank you.
BY EMAIL
NOTE ABOUT EMAIL TEMPLATES: writing from a template, while easier, may risk your email being immediately filtered by a spam filter (and therefore not useful). Consider using these templates as a base line, and, if you are able, adding your own wording to ensure that each email is sent uniquely. The most useful letters are ones that are uniquely worded, and sent from a member of the community.
MAIL:TO LINKS FOR PRE-WRITTEN TEMPLATES
By clicking on the links below, you are able to either directly send a pre-written email (from a provided mail:to link), or copy the link to send to others. Via defund12.org
- Albany - Letter to the Mayor, City Council, City Attorney, and the Social & Economic Justice Commission
- Anaheim - Letter to City Council
- Antioch - Letter to City Council
- Bakersfield - Letter to Mayor and Council Members
- Belmont - Letter to Mayor, City Council, and Elected Officials
- Berkeley - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Burbank - Letter to Mayor and City Councilmembers
- Chico - Letter to City Council
- Chowchilla - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Claremont - Letter to Mayor Schroeder and City Council
- Daly City - Letter to City Council and City Manager
- El Cerrito - Letter to the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and City Council
- Elk Grove - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Emeryville - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Eureka - Letter to City Council
- Fairfield - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Fremont - Letter to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and Police Chief
- Fresno - Letter to City Council
- Fullerton - Letter to City Council
- Glendale - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Hayward - Letter to Council Members
- Hollister - Letter to City Council and Mayor Velazquez
- Los Angeles - Letter to Council Members
- Los Angeles County - Letter to County Supervisors
- La Habra - Letter to Mayor Beamish and City Council
- Lafayette - Letter to the Mayor and City Council
- Long Beach - Letter to City Council
- Los Altos - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Los Altos Hills - Letter to Mayor, City Manager, and City Council
- Los Banos - Letter to The Mayor and Council Members
- Los Gatos - Letter to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Town Council Members, and Elected Officers and Staff
- Menlo Park - Letter to City Council
- Merced - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Mill Valley - Letter to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Councilmembers
- Monterey - Letter to Mayor, City Council, and City Clerk
- Modesto - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Mountain View - Letter to Mayor, City Manager, and City Council
- Nevada County - Letter to County DA, District Supervisors, and City Officials
- Newark - Letter to City Council
- Oakland - Letter to Mayor, Council Members, and Elected Officials
- Orange County - Letter to the Board of Supervisors of Orange County
- Oxnard - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Palo Alto - Letter to the Mayor and City Council
- Pasadena - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Pittsburg - Letter to the Mayor and City Council
- Petaluma - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Pomona - Letter to Mayor Sandoval and City Council
- Pleasanton - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Rancho Cucamonga - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Richmond - Letter to Richmond Officials
- Ripon - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Redwood City - Letter to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and City Council Members
- Riverside - Letter to Riverside Mayor and City Council
- Riverside County - Letter to County Officials
- Salinas - Letter to Mayor Gunter and Council Members
- San Bernardino County - Letter to County Officials
- Sacramento - Letter to Mayor, City Council, and County Board of Supervisors -- Decarcerate Sacramento
- San Diego - Letter to Mayor and Council Members
- San Francisco - Letter to the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, and Elected Officers
- San Gabriel - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- San Jose - Letter to Mayor and Council Members
- San Luis Obispo - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- San Leandro - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Santa Barbara - Letter to City Council
- San Bruno - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Santa Clara (City) - Letter to Mayor, City Manager, and City Council
- Santa Cruz - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Santa Clara County - Letter to Mayor and County Board of Supervisors
- Santa Maria - Letter to City Council
- Santa Monica - Letter to City Managers and Council Members
- Santa Rosa - Letter to Mayor and Council Members
- Scotts Valley - Letter to City Council and Finance Department
- South San Francisco - Letter to Mayor Garbarino and City Council
- Stockton - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Torrance - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Union City - Letter to Mayor Dutra, the Union City Council, Union City Manager, and Union City Police Chief
- Upland - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Vallejo - Letter to Elected Officials
- Ventura - Letter to Mayor and City Council
- Walnut Creek - Letter to Mayor Haskew and City Council
- West Covina - Letter to the Mayor and City Council
LINKS TO PRE-WRITTEN EMAILS FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS -Click the links in this doc to access a pre-written email template to relevant officials. Plug in your name and location where needed, then click send.
Templates from Letter, Phone Call Templates, and Information:
General template for elected government officials- state and local officials, as well as Congress members (Representatives and Senators)
To the Office of (Insert Individual)
My name is (Insert name) and I demand to know why there has been (a lack of action, inexcusable conduct, a slow response time, etc.) in regards to (insert event name). The lack of accountability on your team’s part shows a blatant disregard not only for the well-being of the members of your community, but also for the most vulnerable segments of your community. I urge you to take quick and decisive action in order to rectify the situation and I demand that you hold the guilty parties accountable so that justice may be served.
Communities across America are rallying together in order to show solidarity and it is absolutely ridiculous that an (elected official, government official, basically just any adjective that describes their job) such as yourself is showing such a high degree of incompetence or even apathy at this time. Your community deserves better than this, the families of the people involved deserve better than this, and the oath you swore to your office most certainly deserves better than this.
Please make a point to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. Show your community that you still care about their needs and prove to them that you are still worthy of your title and office. Should you prove otherwise, know that you will be replaced with someone who is.
Respectfully,
(Your name)
For elected government officials regarding George Floyd- state and local officials, as well as Congress members (Representatives and Senators)
To (Insert Title Here),
I am writing to you today to demand a response from your office regarding the murder of George Floyd. As you are well aware, Mr. Floyd was senselessly killed in broad daylight and the officer who murdered him was only recently charged when an entire city began to protest this miscarriage of justice. I want to know exactly what legislation you plan to introduce or support in order to curtail not only the militarization of America’s police forces, but their consistent abuse of power. Are you going to stand against the President’s calls to shoot protestors? Are you aware that Antifa is NOT an actual organization with members or hierarchy, and that its recent designation as a terrorist group will allow law enforcement to exercise “extreme prejudice” against American protestors by classifying them as domestic terrorists?
Where was this energy in the aftermath of the Charlottesville riots? What did you do to ensure such a tragedy never happened again? If you legitimately worked towards change, I applaud you and I hope that you will continue to advocate and legislate towards a safer and more inclusive America. If you stood silent and choose to continue to remain silent, know that you are complicit in the wanton erosion of civil liberties and wholesale murder of American lives.
Do not refer me to your press page. Do not tell me to sign up for your newsletter. Do not give me or my fellow constituents half-baked responses that only serve as PR. Give us real change. Do your job. Tell me how you plan to rescind political donations from police unions and other organizations that have helped militarize our officers. Tell me how your office plans to donate to mutual aid funds or freedom funds. Do not give me empty words.
Respectfully yours,
(Your name)
SIGN PETITIONS
NOTE: DO NOT DONATE MONEY TO CHANGE.ORG- CONSIDER DONATING INSTEAD TO THE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS LISTED ABOVE.
#blacklivesmatter masterpost (via @ambivaIcnt)
Twitter thread of Brazilian petitions to sign
GOAL REACHED- denotes petitions that have reached their stated goal
NEEDS SIGNATURES- denotes petitions that have received less than 100,000 signatures
SEEK JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY/ANTIBLACK VIOLENCE
DEFUND POLICE DEPARTMENTS
POLICY CHANGE AND LEGISLATIVE REFORM
- “Donate here towards helping us hire a PR Firm to get this petition the media exposure it needs. The court of public opinion is a powerful resource that is needed to help this petition reach its ultimate potential and also get it on the desk of the people who can actually implement the change that we're asking for.”
EXONERATE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED/CRIMINALIZED INDIVIDUALS
FIRE/REMOVE OFFICIALS FROM POSITIONS OF POWER
HOLD PERPETRATORS OF ANTIBLACK VIOLENCE ACCOUNTABLE
REFORM POLICING
COMBAT RACISM AND OVERPOLICING IN SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITIES
ADD BLACK HISTORY TO SCHOOL CURRICULUMS
GET RID OF RACIST CULTURAL ARTIFACTS
OTHER INITIATIVES
SPREAD AWARENESS
- Sharing resources, donation links, and petitions with your community is vital to raising public awareness
- Please share any and all links in this document that you found helpful with the people in your community
- Where possible, uplift black voices and content centered around blackness
- When sharing images, videos, etc:
- If posting protesters, be sure to block their ENTIRE body out—police can identify them by clothing or other identifying marks
- NOTE: blur filters can be reversed; use editing software to place black boxes on bodies
- Be aware that violent imagery, racist language, etc. is very triggering. Reposting a video of someone’s death does not equate good activism. Please be respectful and avoid sharing graphic images, and use content warnings as needed
INDIRECT ACTION
EDUCATE YOURSELF ON ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING
EDUCATE OTHERS ON RACISM
CREATE YOUR OWN EDUCATIONAL TOOLS
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATING KIDS
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATING FAMILY/FRIENDS
ATTEND A WORKSHOP OR SEMINAR
POLICING
ANTI-RACISM (via)
JOIN OR BUILD A MUTUAL AID NETWORK
TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
GENERAL RESOURCES
MEDITATION
RESOURCES FOR BLACK PEOPLE
*Note- All resources are directly taken from lists/masterposts made by Black creators, for Black individuals. This is a compilation of that information. I have linked the masterposts I used below; please visit them for more information.
MASTERPOSTS WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FREE/SLIDING SCALE THERAPY
FIND A THERAPIST
HOTLINES
ONLINE COMMUNITY/HEALING SPACES
GUIDED MEDITATIONS
THERAPY FUNDS
DIVERSE HEALING
- GoodWitch NYC- herbal mutual aid network// currently sending out milky oats tincture with corn flower essence (nervous system support for anxiety/depression)
WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES, PODCASTS, BOOKS ETC.:
Twitter:
Websites:
Instagram
Podcasts:
Music:
Books:
Misc.
SCRIPT FOR CALLING/EMAILING A THERAPIST
(via Meg Burke)
Script for calling a therapist:
1. Hi my name is (NAME) and I am calling (NAME OF THERAPIST OR PRACTICE) to inquire if they are accepting new clients.
2. I have (YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER), do you accept this at your practice?
3. How much is your copay for one session?
4. I have been struggling with (CHALLENGES YOU HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING), do you have expertise in this area?
5. Do you offer sessions virtually?
From there, the therapist you are speaking with will provide you with the paperwork needed to begin your work together. They will also work with you to find a time that works best for you to speak.
Script for emailing a therapist:
Dear (NAME OF THERAPIST OR PRACTICE),
My name is (NAME) and I am writing to inquire about your availability and offerings. I have been struggling with (CHALLENGES YOU HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING) and am seeking therapy to help me cope and grow through this challenge. Are you accepting new clients right now? If so, do you accept (YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER)?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
(NAME)
HOW CAN I EDUCATE MYSELF FURTHER?
LEARN ABOUT POLICING AND PRISON ABOLITION
INTRODUCTION
(via)
What is the prison industrial complex? What is abolition?
Why abolish police? Why not reform?
THE HARM OF POLICING AND PRISONS
ABOLITIONISM
TOOLKITS
LEARN ABOUT BLACK ACTIVISM
- Online Library - Lists of PDFs, books, and essays on black feminism and black feminist thought
LEARN ABOUT ANTI-RACISM, ALLYSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
ANTI-RACISM READINGS AND RESOURCES
- Justice in June - daily educational calendar with resources and readings for each day of the month
FOR NON-BLACK POC
FOR WHITE ALLIES