Friend –

Throughout history and still today, Black and brown people in the United States are being murdered, harassed, and targeted simply for living their lives.

As demonstrations continue following the death of George Floyd, we are still witnessing violent attacks on not only people of color, but journalists documenting protests. In Wisconsin, state and local law enforcement deployed violent and militant tactics against demonstrators, most of whom were peacefully exercising their First Amendment right to protest or utilizing their freedom of the press.

Protesters grieving the murders of Floyd and Joel Acevedo in Milwaukee, and the systematic murder of people of color by police, should not be met with rubber bullets, tear gas, and other militarized weapons by the same entity they are protesting against. These violent, aggressive tactics by police must end now.

It's not just the continued terrorism of the Black community by police. It is also the pandemic, largely ripping apart communities of color, further widening the growing divide between people who have and people who don't.

Here in Wisconsin, we continue to stand in solidarity with those grieving the murders of not only Floyd, Acevedo, Ahmaud Aubrey, and Breonna Taylor, but numerous other people of color who have died during encounters with police.

It is on all of us to fight for a world in which being Black in America isn't a death sentence. We appreciate everyone staying in the fight for Black lives, and will continue to stand with you.

Here's how you can help:

• Divest, Reinvest: We are joined in solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives in calling for divestment from police, and reinvestment in communities targeted by police. Sign the petition.
• Join our Smart Justice campaign working to end mass incarceration and dismantle systemic racism in our criminal justice system. Sign up today
• Volunteer to legal observe. Volunteer legal observers act as legal witnesses to political demonstrations and document the events of public protests. To find out when the next legal observer training is scheduled, contact [email protected].
• Support BIPOC organizations. A shortlist is available on our website.

We appreciate everyone staying in the fight for Black lives, and will continue to stand with you.

In Solidarity,

Sean Wilson
Statewide Smart Justice Coordinator, ACLU of Wisconsin