Hi John --

The last week has been painful for so many in our community -- if you are grieving, angry, or hurting, please know: We see you and we stand with you.

We are more committed than ever to our efforts to elect anti-racist leaders into positions of power so they can make meaningful progress on combating structural racism, rooting out white supremacy from our institutions, and especially important right now, ending police brutality against Black people.

Municipal offices like mayors and city councils can control police budgets and create structures for police oversight. School boards can cancel contracts with police departments. State legislatures can do things like introduce legislation around community-based alternatives to policing, or repeal “police bill of rights” where still relevant, or change public records laws around police misconduct. District attorneys and sheriffs can change the way police departments function and how officers are held accountable. Even coroners play a role here, as they determine what is listed on death certificates.

Electing new local leadership is not the cure-all to this massive centuries old problem -- but it absolutely has to be part of the solution.

I know it is hard to think about good news right now. But I hope that by highlighting some of our alum and the efforts they’re making, you’ll feel at least a little bit more hopeful about who’s in charge (and who we can put in charge if we put in the work):

Minneapolis School Board director Josh Pauly is leading on severing the school system’s ties with the city’s police. He explained: “We cannot partner with organizations that do not see the humanity in our students. We cannot be neutral in situations of injustice.”
Denver School Board member Tay Anderson is leading on similar action to get police officers out of schools. Tay was at protests this week, leading and aching as he watched the students he fights for running from tear gas and pepper spray.
South Carolina Rep. JA Moore’s sister was killed in the shootings at Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston five years ago; his response to the continued white supremacist violence is powerful and worth reading: “For me these killings have reignited my sense of purpose and vigor. Now is the time to fight in the courtrooms and the legislatures. This is the time when the people need to be fully engaged in all aspects of civil society. We cannot change the hearts of our police officers until we change the make-up of our country’s police departments. Public policy will continue to underrepresent and disregard the injustices facing black people until we change the makeup of our legislatures.”
New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie came out to Brooklyn protests. These images say it all:

A final note: As an organization and a team, we're going to double down on listening, learning, and un-learning so that we can affect real, meaningful change in our community. Diversity, equity, and inclusion have been core values of ours, both internally and externally -- and we can always do better. We certainly aren't perfect, but we're always here for your feedback. And personally, as I examine my own complicity in white supremacy, I’m committing to doing more with my time, money, and attention. Most immediately, I’m adding more anti-racist books to my reading list, donating what I can to bail funds and critical infrastructure groups like the Movement for Black Lives, and this weekend I attended a beautiful Black Lives Matter protest here in Brooklyn, something I hope to do again. Non-Black folks reading this -- if you’ve done something, read something, or learned something over the last few days that was new to you, tell me about it: [email protected]. I really do want to hear.

I’m also even more energized about our work. As I’ve said repeatedly time and time again: Local leadership matters. Local leadership can save lives. If you’re getting this email, you get that already. Thanks for being on our team.

Amanda

Amanda Litman
Co-founder
Run for Something

P.S. In following CDC guidelines, we're postponing all in-person events until it's safe to gather again. This has a direct impact on our fundraising; if you were thinking about supporting Run for Something this year, your generosity is especially needed right now. To get involved from home, sign up to volunteer. Thank you.