Dear Friend,
Millions of us are rising -- many of us have taken to the streets and others of us are speaking out online -- following the lead of the Movement for Black Lives to demand justice, to advance defunding policing and investing in communities, and to dismantle the systemic racism which permeates our nation’s criminal justice system and our country.
* Please take a moment to speak out, either online or in-person, through one or all of the actions below:
1. This Juneteenth: Mobilize for Justice
In just the last few weeks, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks – and a list of others too long to fit on this page – were killed by law enforcement. They were fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, and had people who loved them. Police brutality is part of the deadly systemic racism that is woven throughout our entire criminal justice system, our healthcare system, our education system, our pay structures, and our nation’s history as well as its present. This must end.
The Movement for Black Lives is calling for mobilization (including virtually!!) to demand justice this Juneteenth [1] weekend, Friday through Sunday, June 19 - 21. MomsRising is answering that call to mobilize, standing in solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives, and inviting you to be a part of the Movement for Black Lives Juneteenth actions by participating digitally from your home or out in your community.
2. Demand Justice for Breonna Taylor
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BACKGROUND: Breonna Taylor was a dreamer, a go-getter, she was an award-winning EMT, an essential worker at two hospitals during the pandemic and a model citizen. She was beloved by her friends and family. On March 13th, the Louisville Police Department performed an illegal, unannounced drug raid on her home. Not a single officer announced themselves before ramming down her door and firing 22 shots, shooting Breonna 8 times, killing her. The officers were at the WRONG HOUSE, and the person they were looking for had already been arrested earlier that day. Two months later and the officers responsible are still employed by the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and no charges have been filed. Instead the LMPD spent weeks treating Breonna like she was a criminal, calling her a “suspect” before admitting that she was an innocent and had committed no crime. This miscarriage of justice has gone on too long. Breonna is dead, and the perpetrators are facing no charges. Add your name now to demand justice for Breonna Taylor.
3. Donate to the Movement for Black Lives
Another important and powerful way to support the Movement for Black Lives and be part of the Juneteenth weekend actions is to donate. Every dollar has an impact.
- Here’s a secure link to donate directly to the Movement for Black Lives, founded in 2014, and includes over 100 Black-led organizations: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/movement-4-black-lives-1
- And here’s a secure link to donate directly to Black Lives Matter DC, where one of the largest Juneteenth events is being planned: https://www.blacklivesmatterdmv.org/fund-the-movement
4. "Defund the police" #KeepMarching meeting: Recording and other followup materials
BACKGROUND: Did you miss this week's powerful #KeepMarching meeting, during which we dove deep into the history of police, the impact on our communities, and explored models and ideas for stronger communities and a defunded police. We learned, among other things, that divesting budget resources away from policing and reallocating those resources to areas like healthcare, housing, and education in order to increase community health, economic wellness, and safety is becoming increasingly urgent. We are very grateful to Andrea J. Ritchie, Researcher in Residence on Race, Gender, Sexuality and Criminalization at Barnard College; Kim Ellison, Chairman of the Minneapolis Board of Education; and Phillip McHarris, Lead Research & Policy Associate at Community Resource Hub for Safety & Accountability, for bringing their expertise to the meeting. And thank you to MomsRising’s own Monifa Bandele and Beatriz Beckford for leading the discussions. In case you missed the meeting, or would like to review any part of the program, no problem, we recorded it! Click here to watch the recording. Password: 0P@+t==7
5. Trump Must Resign
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BACKGROUND: Moms across America were appalled, disheartened, aghast, stunned, unnerved, outraged, dumbfounded… (all the words!!) when law enforcement officers were ordered to deploy tear gas and shoot rubber bullets on peaceful protestors who were standing against police brutality while assembling near the White House before a curfew for President Trump. This is a violation of First Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution, and a breach of our democracy. Then, President Trump doubled down, praising the attack on peaceful protestors, as he also went on to threaten to deploy the U.S. military to cities and states. WHAT?! Not okay. MomsRising is joining the Movement for Black Lives, and dozens of other organizations, in telling President Trump to resign. When you add your voice here by signing on now, your action will help create a tsunami of change. #TrumpMustResign #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
Thank you for all you do, and have a good weekend.
--- Kristin, Monifa, Beatriz, Diarra, Gloria, Donna, Jordan, Karen, and the rest of the Momsrising / MamásConPoder.org Team
[1] "So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth?" New York Times, June 16, 2020
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