Will You Stand Up and Stand With Activists?

“Stand back and stand by”, those were the words that echoed across the county when the president was asked to condemn white supremacy. So, while they “stand back and stand by” we are asking you to stand up and stand with activists. Since November 2016 Urgent Action Fund has seen over a 300% increase in security requests from women and transgender activists in the U.S. Over the past 4 years we have witnessed activists being targeted, harassed, and attacked; similar to what we have seen in other countries with repressive regimes and authoritarian governments.

The need for funding is urgent! Activists — particularly those who are Black, queer, Muslim, or undocumented, as well as others whose identities make them likely target of threats — are in the crosshairs of white supremacists, nationalists, misogynists, religious fundamentalists, and anti-abortionists. The president's divisive rhetoric continues to embolden and sanction extremist groups and abusive law enforcement officials. Activists have reported increased surveillance from both government and non-government actors. They have seen local sheriffs and police working with ICE to arrest, detain, and deport undocumented activists, BLM activists, and those working against police brutality. Far-right groups are trolling, doxing, and threatening activists online.
 
In just this past year UAF has provided the following grants:

• Generation Justice: UAF helped support four climate justice activists/journalists who were targeted after they covered a story about the removal of a colonist statue in solidarity with the BLM protests and the filming of the shooting of a protester by a right-wing affiliate. Their pictures and personal information were shared on sites like 4Chan and they began receiving threats from a right-wing militia group called the New Mexico Civil Guard. Additionally, the Arizona police are now investigating the case but have left out critical information that favors the shooter and hate group. UAF funds will cover digital security efforts and legal fees if the activists need legal representation.

• Black Lives Matter West Virginia (BLM WV) & Holler Health Justice: UAF supported a reproductive rights and racial justice activist and BLM WV co-organizers with digital and physical security support. Both the activist and BLM WV received threats from the Boogaloo Boys, a far-right extremist movement, who attempted to hack their accounts and expose their personal information. The funds covered digital security efforts such as anti-doxing and online security training, as well as physical security for the activist's residence, including security cameras, locks, and additional door security.

• UAF provided funds for legal support for an activist* in detention. Her house was recently raided by multiple law enforcement authorities and she was taken into custody. The group believes that she was targeted for her participation at the Movement for Black Lives protests. During her arrest, ICE confiscated her tech devices with sensitive information about the organization, its organizers, and their network. The funds will cover primarily legal fees, and secondarily, detention and family support.

In the current climate, we must be there to support activists who are defending their communities and our democracy — we must resource their movements and do everything we can to keep them safe. You can help us provide activists with:

• Digital security training and assessments to help activists protect themselves and their organizations from doxing, trolling, and harassment 
• Equipment and security personnel – cameras, burner phones, security guards during protests
• Mental health, therapy, and psycho-social support due to trauma, anxiety, depression, burn-out, and fear
• Funds for emergency relocation
• Family support – the families of activists are often targeted as well
• Legal support, bail, and court fees - for those arrested during protests