Friend, many Common Cause members have reached out to me in the past few weeks to ask what they can do in this moment as millions are marching for justice. Here’s what some of our partners who lead this work have asked us to share.
This coming Friday is Juneteenth -- which should be a federal holiday. It commemorates America’s real Independence day, June 19th, 1865 -- when more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas learned that they had gained their freedom through the Emancipation Proclamation two years after it was signed.
And this Juneteenth, organizers for racial justice are holding a weekend of powerful action to ensure that we live up to our ideals of democracy, justice, and equity -- and call for an end to systems that brutalize and punish Black people.
I think one of the most important things that I can do right now is uplift the work and voices of Black people who are fighting for their lives -- and for a better future for us all. So, here are three things I’m asking all Common Cause members to do in the next few days:
First, on June 19th and throughout the weekend: The Movement For Black Lives is organizing rallies around the country (dates and times will vary). Visit sixnineteen.com to join one of the events happening nationwide on the weekend of Juneteenth.
Next, on Saturday, June 20th, Rev. William Barber and the Poor People’s Campaign will mobilize the Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington -- a digital justice gathering to lift up the stories, demands, and solutions of poor and low-wealth people. This is an online-only event. Learn more and get involved here at june2020.org >>
Finally, take some time to reflect, listen, and learn about race and racism -- a great place to start is with a selection from Ibram X. Kendi’s Anti-Racist Reading List. You can also read our reports, Democracy Behind Bars and Zero Disenfranchisement, about how our country’s mass incarceration problem is a major obstacle to the democracy we all deserve.
This is a process of continual growth, and different people are at different places -- many are even waking up to some of these issues for the first time. But, it’s important that right now, each of us commit to working for equity for the long haul, which starts by taking concrete action right now.
In common cause,
Karen Hobert Flynn, President
and the team at Common Cause
