Black Lives Matter: What You Can Do Today To Make a Difference
Image: @stuffgracemade
Actively being an anti-racist and working towards true change goes beyond just posting woke content on social media for one week. See below for a list of action items you can do right now to help make a difference in this monumental moment and movement for a better today, tomorrow, and for our future generations.
SPEAK UP & TAKE ACTION
Sign petitions, make phone calls, join local protests, and volunteer with local organizations. Here are some direct ways to use your voice and be heard:
Sign the Justice for Big Floyd Petition
Text FLOYD to 551-56 to sign Color of Change’s petition for justice for George Floyd
Sign the 15 Percent Pledge Petition
Email your local mayor and tell them to adopt 8 Can’t Wait to help end police brutality
See this list for more petitions from Black Lives Matter
LISTEN & LEARN
Now is the time to listen, learn, educate ourselves, and help amplify the many diverse voices of the Black community that need to be heard. Check out our list of 21 Black voices to follow on Instagram and our list of 14 books about Black experiences, anti-racism, and white privilege.
DONATE
We aren’t all in a position to donate at the moment, but if you have the means consider making a one-time or recurring donation to the following organizations:
The Bail Project
Provides free bail assistance, reunites families, and restores the presumption of innocence.
Black Lives Matter
Global movement fighting to end anti-Black racism.
Black Visions Collective
Black, trans, and queer-led organization and legal fund dedicated to black liberation.
Justice for Breonna Taylor
Official memorial fund for the family of Breonna Taylor.
Campaign Zero
A campaign to end 8 use-of-force policies that can reduce police violence by 72%.
Committee To Protect Journalists
Fights press freedom violations worldwide.
Color of Change
The nation’s largest online racial justice organization that works to end practices that unfairly hold black people back.
Fair Fight
Ensures fair elections and combats voter suppression.
Know Your Rights Camp
Provides resources for black and brown communities, including hiring defense attorneys for anyone arrested protesting police brutality.
George Floyd Memorial Fund
A fund started by George Floyd's sister to cover the family's funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist their family in the days to come as we continue to seek justice for George.
I Run With Maud
A fund started by Ahmaud Arbery's best friend to benefit his mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, and her immediate family with financial support during this extremely difficult time and in their struggle for justice for the murder of Ahmaud Marquez Arbery.
Minnesota Freedom Fund
Covers bail for jailed protestors.
NAACP
The National Association for Advancement of Colored People
The American Civil Liberties Union
Provides legal assistance wherever civil liberties are at risk.
VOTE
One of the best ways to implement long-term change is by voting for leaders who believe that Black Lives Matter and who care about issues affecting Black, Brown, and Native communities. Register to vote, check your registration status, and get reminders about local elections at I Am A Voter.
SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES
Don’t forget, we also vote with our dollars. Check out our list of Black-owned businesses we love and support. Download the extension Progressive Shopper on Google Chrome and “put your money where your values are.” The color-coded system notifies you of a brand’s political contributions. Use it to make more conscious spending decisions and ultimately stop funding companies whose politics and policies you may oppose.