Stand Up. Speak Up. Take Action.

In the aftermath of ’s death, it is more important than ever to stay informed and take action to ensure justice for those suffering at the hands of systemic and institutional racism, specifically the African American community. We recognize this is an extremely turbulent and confusing time in the world, and especially in this country. We have created this document as a resource for any and all of you who may need it.

This document has information, statistics, petitions, mental health resources, donation ​ links, and ways you can take action. ​

Also know that this document is continuously being updated with relevant information and new links. Please share it with anyone who may be in need of resources. If there is any information here that you know to be outdated, or if you believe there is important information that is missing, please do not hesitate to contact us at our emails listed below!!

Thank you and please be safe.

-Divya Mullapudi & Ariana Santos, 2020-2021 CI Advocacy Officers [email protected] & [email protected] ​ ​

Here is a fantastic resource giving background to and racism in the ​ criminal justice system written by Sophia Osuna ‘20.

Here is a link to an online bookshelf created by Jane Mount’s Ideal Bookshop which ​ features dozens of amazing reads on Anti Racism! All proceeds from book sales go directly towards supporting local black owned bookshops!!

What Happened: George Floyd was arrested on Memorial Day in Minneapolis after allegedly writing a bad ​ check. During the arrest, senior police officer held his knee on Floyd’s neck for over 8 minutes, despite Floyd’s pleas that he could not breathe. Three other officers stood by and did nothing as Floyd began to lose consciousness.

The video of Floyd’s death horrified the nation and led to numerous nationwide protests, but it is only one in numerous cases of police brutality that include Ahmaud Arbery, ​ ​ Breonna Taylor, Tony Mcdade, David McAtee, and too many more. Racism and police ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ brutality have historically been intertwined within the past and present of America. We believe enough is enough and are committed to advocating for justice in order to prevent the deaths of innocent black civilians.

So how do we do this?? Use your voice, take action, and fight for justice!! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Use Your Voice: Sign Petitions!

● Sign the Hands Up Act petition, which promotes legislation to the US House of ​ Representatives that would impose sentences on police officers who are responsible for the shooting death of unarmed citizens.

● George Floyd: ​ ● Text FLOYD to 55156

● Petition 1: Calls for Derek Chauvin’s third and second degree murder charges to ​ be raised to first degree murder.

● Ahmaud Arbery: ​

● Petition 1: Calls for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to bring charges against ​ Arbery’s killers and their accomplices. Each signature also sends a letter to Georgia officials demanding justice.

● Petition 2: Calls for District Attorneys Jackie Johnson and George Barnhill to be ​ removed from office for their mishandling of the Arbery case.

● Breonna Taylor:

● Petition 1: Calls for immediate charges to be filed against all officers involved in ​ Taylor’s murder, damages to be paid to Taylor’s family for wrongful death and negligence of the LMPD, the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate Taylor’s death, and a federal ban on the No Knock policy ​

● Petition 2: Calls for the firing and arrest of 3 officers involved, the appointment of ​ a special prosecutor, and a local ban on No Knock raids. Each signature sends an ​ ​ email to every elected official who has jurisdiction in Taylor’s case.

● Tony Mcdade

● Text TONY MCDADE to 484848

● David McAtee

● Petition: Fire, arrest, and charge the officers responsible for the death of David ​ McAtee in Louisville, who was shot while protesting the death of Breonna Taylor.

Graphic created by ​

Take Action: Donate!! We recognize that this is an extremely difficult time for many families, especially financially. Only donate if you are able to, any amount helps!!

Support the Official George Floyd Memorial Fund. ​

Support the Official Tony Mcdade Memorial Fund. ​

Support the Official David McAtee Memorial Fund. ​

Support , an organization whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and ​ build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities.

Support , which believes in a future where all Black people have ​ autonomy, their safety is community-led, and they are in right relationship within our ecosystems.

Support ’s Action PAC fund to post bail for protestors who cannot afford it. ​

Support the Anti Police Terror Project, a black led Bay Area organization that supports families ​ facing police terror and fights for justice by documenting police abuses and providing resources to impacted communities.

Support , a Minneapolis grassroots organization that provides resources and ​ fights injustice to ensure black communities can thrive.

Support , an organization dedicated to ending police violence against black and ​ Hispanic communities in America.

If you are not able to directly donate money, here is a very easy way to financially support BLM! Click on this link and watch the YouTube video filled with amazing songs and artwork created ​ ​ by black artists. Do not skip through the ads, all ad revenue will be donated to BLM and ​ associated organizations! Make sure to watch on highest quality, keep volume on, and make sure not to put it on loop!

Graphic created by the New Jersey High School Democrats ​

Fight for Justice: Advocate for Change! In the case of George Floyd, the Hennepin County Attorney has failed to take proper action against police brutality in the past. Therefore when contacting these officials, respectfully ask that they appoint a Special Assistant Attorney General to lead the case.

Who to contact: ​

● Minnesota Governor Tim Walz

Phone: (651) 201-3400

Address: 130 State Capitol 75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155

● Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison

Phone: (800) 657-3787

Address: 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1400 St. Paul, MN 55101-2131

What to say:

This template is written by us based on published templates provided by The ACLU. Feel free to use those templates, found here. Sophia Osuna’s resource also includes a call ​ ​ template at the bottom of the document, found here. Feel free to add more information to ​ ​ these templates as you see fit with your calls, but please remember to be civil.

Hello, my name is [insert name], I am a high school student and concerned advocate who lives in

[insert city, town or neighborhood]. I am calling to demand 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 demand a swift and independent prosecution of the officers who are responsible for Floyd’s murder. Now that the case has been transferred to Minnesota Attorney

General Keith Ellison, I am calling for the appointment of 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, meaning they are incapable of fairly prosecuting 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.

Calling for justice for Breonna Taylor:

● Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer

Phone: (502) 574-2003 (line is not live- you will have to leave a message!)

Self Check In!

Remember that you cannot take care of others without taking care of yourself! Here are some handy mental health resources we recommend, the topics we cover often weigh heavily, even after the petition signings and calls are done. Make sure you take time to check in with yourself to really process what is happening and your role in the current situation. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. Please be kind to yourself and others!

● Don’t forget about the amazing resources students have on their iPads, like free

meditations with the Headspace, MyLife, and Smiling Mind apps! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ● Here is the link to a helpful guide with 7 fantastic mental health resources curated ​ specifically for dealing with everything occurring in the aftermath of coronavirus and

George Floyd’s death.

● Check out Liberate, a free meditation app designed by and for people of color! ​ ​ ● Here is a list of fantastic accounts that focus on mental health awareness, many

of which are currently creating resources specific to communities of color during this

emotional time:

○ The Anxiety Healer

○ Healing While Black

○ Self Care is for Everyone

○ Ancestors Future

○ Black Mental Wellness