Here's How You Can Help Demand Justice for George Floyd
On May 25, 46-year-old Minneapolis resident George Floyd died after police officer Derek Chauvin pinned him down during an arrest by using his knee.
Since, protests have erupted demanding justice for Floyd's death, just the latest example of inequality, racism, and police brutality in America.
If you're looking for a way to join the movement against racism, ahead, eight ways you can take action now, from donating to supporting legal organizations.
On Monday evening, the Minneapolis police department received a call from a Cup Foods employee alleging that a customer had tried to use a counterfeit $20 bill. After arriving on the scene, officers found George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, inside a car and ordered him out. Videos taken by bystanders captured the horrifying confrontation, in which Officer Derek Chauvin forcefully pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for several minutes—despite Floyd, who was already handcuffed, repeatedly saying "I can't breathe." Minutes later, he became unresponsive, and shortly after the violent encounter, Floyd died at a medical center.
The gruesome incident—which came just weeks after the high-profile deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor—has sparked protests across the country in Los Angeles, New York City, Denver, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and other cities. While Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter—and the three other officers involved have been fired—the fight for justice continues. "This shouldn't be 'normal' in 2020 America. It can't be 'normal," former President Barack Obama said in a statement. "If we want our children to grow up in a nation that lives up to its highest ideals, we can and must be better."
Here are just a few ways you can demand justice for Floyd, and support anti-racism efforts across the country.
To Donate
The Minnesota Freedom Fund
Overwhelmed w/ support - TY
& if our donation link wasn't working - usually it's bc PayPal is too busy, try again in a few usually works
& spread the love to other movement orgs too - drop links below
TY for your patience as we focus on bail support
keep the pressure on pic.twitter.com/YW71MMdKGY— Minnesota Freedom Fund (@MNFreedomFund) May 28, 2020
In an effort to fight America’s cash bail system, which disproportionately impacts lower-income people, the Minnesota Freedom Fund has been posting small cash bails for people who otherwise couldn't afford them. Now, in the wake of the protests in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the grassroots organization—which has attracted the attention of celebrities like Lin Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, and Mark Ruffalo—is partnering with the National Lawyers Guild and the Legal Rights Center. The Freedom Fund will now use donations to reduce the burden of bail for protesters who’ve been arrested.
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
To help cover the costs of everything from funeral and burial expenses to mental and grief counseling, lodging, and travel for all court proceedings, Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, started a GoFundMe to assist his family in their time of need. Additionally, a portion of these funds will go to the Estate of George Floyd, which benefits his children and their educational fund. To send cards, letters of encouragement, or contributions in the form of a check, you mail them to:
The Estate of George Floyd
c/o Ben Crump Law, PLLC
122 S. Calhoun Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Attn: Adner Marcelin
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
"I don’t want to talk about looters at this point I want to talk about an officer of the state, licensed, paid for with taxpayer money, given a gun and a badge and the right to take human life."
-@Sifill_LDF on @mitchellreports pic.twitter.com/QKM9yTalgA— Legal Defense Fund (@NAACP_LDF) May 29, 2020
Founded in 1940 by legendary civil rights icon Thurgood Marshall, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund has spent the last 70 years advancing the goals of racial justice and equality. From legal victories in state and federal courts—which serve as the foundation for the civil rights that all Americans enjoy today—to increasing graduation rates among African American students, protecting voters across the nation, and decreasing disproportionate incarceration and sentencing rates, this legal organization works tirelessly to make America into a more just and inclusive society.
Communities United Against Police Brutality
Formed after the death of Charles "Abuka" Sanders by Minneapolis police, Communities United Against Police Brutality is an all-volunteer organization that meets every Saturday to combat police brutality in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area through political and legislative action, education, research, and providing services and support for victims and their families.
To Contact Minneapolis Officials
Send a Letter
Benjamin Crump, a national civil rights and personal injury attorney who is representing the family, recommends writing a letter to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey or Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz to demand justice, accountability, and policing changes. Not sure what to say? The letter shared in this petition offers a helpful script.
Make a Call
It is OUTRAGEOUS that the four Minneapolis Police officers who MURDERED George Floyd are still walking around free tonight. Call DA Mike Freeman (612-348-5550) and demand prosecution. They need to be ARRESTED and CHARGED!! #SayHisName #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/grQOuCzeqG
— Benjamin Crump, Esq. (@AttorneyCrump) May 28, 2020
Crump has also called for people to contact Minneapolis District Attorney Mike Freeman to request that he arrest and charge the officers who were present during Floyd’s murder. While Office Derek Chauvin was charged Friday afternoon, the three other officers involved—Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng—have not yet been charged. You can contact District Attorney Freeman at 612-348-5550.
To Sign a Petition
#JusticeforFloyd
This petition from Color of Change demands that Mayor Frey block all four officers from receiving their pensions and ban them from working as police officers again; calls for Officers Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng to be charged; and to release any protestors who've been arrested. The petition currently needs 55,000 more signatures to meet its goal of 2,500,000. You can sign the petition at the link below or text "FLOYD" to 55156.
Justice for George Floyd
This Change.org petition—which is currently 200,000 signatures shy of its 6,000,000-signature goal—is also trying to get the attention of Mayor Frey and District Attorney Freeman to demand that the three other officers are held accountable for the death of George Floyd. In addition to signing the petition below, it is asking for people to send a 30-second video answering this question: What would justice for George Floyd mean to you? To submit a video (the deadline is 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30), email georgefloydvideos@gmail.com.
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