John,
To no surprise, over a year into a pandemic that has disproportionately impacted Black communities,
our elected officials have failed us. They've failed to act swiftly in the most unprecedented times. They've failed to do the jobs they were expected to do.
But as always, we the people can and will show up for one another.
John, we keep us safe.
That's why yesterday, Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and Black Lives Matter Grassroots launched a $3 million nationwide fund to assist Black families and individuals who've been financially impacted throughout the pandemic.
But here's the deal --
the need for relief is so great that the Black Lives Matter Survival Fund met its goal of providing direct support to nearly 3,000 Black people and their families within 12 hours of launching.
Throughout this entire pandemic, one thing has been made abundantly clear: Our people, Black people, are suffering more than ever. And the government continues to neglect us and our struggle.
Until we are able to increase the funding for our Survival Fund,
we must continue to call on Congress to step up and provide monthly survival checks for our communities.
It's crucial we put the pressure on Congress to provide direct relief to our communities -- because we know all too well that they will delay as long as they can. Click here to watch our fund reveal and send a letter to Congress demanding they pass COVID relief >>
Congress must step up to do the right thing. Because guess what? The people that are in all levels of public office are there due to the record amount of Black folks who showed up to the polls.
Even amidst a deadly pandemic that has killed half a million people and counting,
why are they so slow to act?
The burdens of the pandemic have been felt hardest by the Black community. Between job loss, evictions, falling ill, or struggling to put food on the table, we're still forced to fend for ourselves even in the most unparalleled circumstances.
Since the beginning of time, Black people have been forced to overcome a lack of government investment in Black communities by organizing our own social justice efforts and cooperative economics -- like the Black Panther Party's free breakfast program for children. The Black Lives Matter Survival Fund follows the same model.
We are constantly the ones investing and uplifting our communities.
We stepped up to the challenge of providing as much mutual aid to our communities as possible -- and it's long overdue that Congress does its job and provides the relief that's been needed for over a year.
John, click here to send a letter NOW calling on Congress to immediately pass COVID-19 relief >>
John -- we will continue to keep us safe, and we will continue to call on Congress to do the job we sent them there to do.
In love and solidarity,
Patrisse Cullors
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation
P.S. We know the need for immediate relief is still there. If you or anyone you know needs help, we've compiled a list of mutual aid resources on our website:
https://blacklivesmatter.com/survival-fund
