Masses of people have gathered around the United States in recent days in a call for racial equality and justice.
The death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd while in local police custody sparked outrage across the country and most painfully within the black community, which has seen this scenario unfold too many times before throughout history. People are taking to the streets, with some even being arrested while engaged in peaceful protests, to have their voices heard to elevate the message of change in our society.
If you are not able to join the organized activities in your area but are interested in donating to support the cause, we’ve researched several organizations that could use your donation. Just because you cannot march with your fellow citizens doesn’t mean you can’t make an impact.
Dozens of organizations work around the clock to fight against racism and police brutality by helping with everything from educating people about the issues at the heart of the protests, coordinating marches and even protecting citizens’ rights during and after these events. These groups need financial support to keep moving forward.
If you want to be part of the cause, then consider contributing to one or more of these organizations.
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter has been the organization in the spotlight during this time of civil protest. The organization’s goal is to “fight to end state-sanctioned violence, liberate Black people, and end white supremacy forever,” according to its website.
Black Lives Matters does this by organizing protests, disseminating information about injustices against black Americans around the country and circulating petitions.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqPTIdJVvD/
The Bail Project
The Bail Project offers financial assistance for people who have been arrested and cannot afford bail money. According to its official website, its mission is “to combat mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system ‒ one person at a time.”
Your donation goes to pay for someone’s bail who may otherwise be unable to afford it. Once the bail is paid and returned at the end of a client’s case, it returns to the fund to help finance someone else’s bail. During the current situation, the national non-profit, which you can follow at @bailproject on Instagram, has been assisting protestors.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYuighAAdV/
Campaign Zero
Campaign Zero’s mission is to end police violence against American citizens. Their agenda is to redefine law enforcement not only through action but through research-based policy change. The hope is that by working throughout the entire system from police contracts to community representation and fair investigations, law enforcement officers and the citizens they are supposed to protect can co-exist peacefully.
Campaign Zero, which has been around since 2015, takes donations to support data collection, research, technical assistance for local organizers, the development of legislation and advocacy to create solutions for police violence, according to this post from @campaignzero on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA6uPTyAoyI/
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), an arm of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, uses “litigation, advocacy and public education to seek structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-2FqRBNIo/
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The ACLU is celebrating 100 years of existence this year and lists this as its mission “ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.” The ACLU takes on legal battles and advocacy to achieve its goals.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_j481nEpP/