How to Support Protests If You Are Unable to Come
In the aftermath of the assassination of George Floyd and countless other black people in the United States, hundreds (thousands?) Of protests have sprung up all over the country demanding justice and accountability, as well as constant systemic changes towards the structural racism that this country was. built on. At such a critical juncture for racial justice and human dignity, the overwhelming protest activity can make it difficult to see and make choices about how you can support and participate.
For some people, taking part in a protest is not the best option. But there are many roles to play in protest, and we’re going to explore some of them here. And as an explicit editorial note, I’m mostly reaching out to white people – this is your moment to prove yourself in a way you’ve never thought of before. Blacks and other people of color should not dismantle their own systemic oppression on their own. White people need to be part of this fight right now .
If you can’t get your physical body to protest, here are a few more ways to help.
Donation of funds
Giving out money can sometimes seem like an easy way out, but it cannot be overstated how important funds are to local movements right now. While it may seem straightforward to donate to large organizations you are already familiar with, look for smaller local community organizations that organize and lead the protests you would like to support. Here is a link to an aid fund , for example, for protesters across the country.
Prison / court escort
Being arrested can be scary and exhausting; many groups often organize moral and material support for those arrested. See if people gather near prisons or courts to show support for protesters while they are in prison or after they leave. If you have legal experience, contact the National Guild of Lawyers or local organizations to see if you can help there.
Food
Can food be delivered to the protest area? (Don’t send pizza automatically , though – try to figure out what is needed first .) Sometimes faith-based organizations that support social justice and / or are in the vicinity of a protest site, for example, host food businesses.
Childcare
Do you know people who would like to go to or work on a protest but need help looking after their children? Or does one of the organizational groups have the opportunity to volunteer with children? Childcare is an often overlooked need of many mainstream liberal movements, and we must focus on such needs to ensure the participation of a wide variety of people.
Skills and abilities
Do you have a special experience that you can share? Can you teach others to do what you know how to do? Technological experience is often a necessary skill, but there can be many, depending on location and moment.
All the rest
Can you make phone calls or text messages? Are you ready to clean up things that need cleaning or move resources around town? Can you fill envelopes or handle door-to-door delivery? There are so many jobs lurking behind the scenes for the protests to stay healthy and active! Check out this guide from Beyond The Streets for a complete list; It was originally created for the Ferguson protests, but for the most part remains highly relevant today. (Thanks to Jasmine Burnett for this link.)
Not sure where to start? If you are not already affiliated with your local racial justice community, now is the best time! You can find the local chapter ” Exposing for Racial Justice” ; I also recommend monitoring and supporting the work of as many blacks as possible, who often cite local actions. Some of my favorites include: Leslie Mack , Black Lives Matter , Mia Birdsong , Jasmine Burnett , Charlene Carruthers , Malkia Devic-Cyril , Pamela Merritt , Tarana Burke , Sabrina Hersey Issa and Blair Imani . (Don’t ask these or other black people to help them right now – they have a lot of other work to do, and they don’t need our emotional burden .) Other broader resource favorites include anti-racism resources for white people. and 75 Things White People Can Do To Promote Racial Justice . Go down the rabbit hole of these lists and find who and what you like next to you.
A note on how to prepare to provide support: If you are white and new to an organization or group, be prepared for your help to be rejected. There are millions of reasons why local groups in the field may not welcome newcomers right now. Their safety is more important than your ego; look for another way to support them if personal help is not being accepted at the moment.
Looking for ways to protect black lives? Check out this list of resources .