I feel like this is pretty important to realize: the cops are becoming exhausted, and there’s a limited supply of them. NYPD has every cop on duty working full days every day. We have an unlimited capacity to rotate in fresh fighters that they simply do not have. We can take shifts. They can’t.

  This is also why we’re starting to see bare minimum concessions now. The powers that be have realized they’ve made a grave miscalculation. A week into it, and ideas that seemed utterly impossible even a month ago are on the table- LA is talking about a hundred and fifty million dollar budget cut for the LAPD, every cop directly involved in George Floyd’s murder has been arrested and Chauvin’s charge has been raised to second degree murder, parts of the Minneapolis city council is pushing to permanently disband the Minneapolis police department.

   What could we win with two weeks? Three? An organized general strike that brings the entire economy to a crashing halt? It is difficult to feel hopeful in such brutal times, but there is profound hope to be had in the realization that a week of getting our asses kicked has advanced the mainstream narrative around police so much further than electoralism would’ve dared to dream in 100 years.

They know how much power we have

Do we?

❗ATTENTION❗

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING JULY 4TH -7TH

PEOPLE OF THE BLM MOVEMENT ARE TRYING TO CAUSE AN ECONOMIC BLACKOUT THAT WOULD COST THE GOVERNMENT AROUND 3.5 BILLION DOLLARS!

❗SPREAD THE NEWS❗

(6/2/2020)

check out #boycottamerikkka on twitter for more info. this time is not just about creating an economic blackout through corporate boycott, but also about supporting black businesses. let’s show up for them

IF YOU REALLY NEED TO PURCHASE SOMETHING OR IN NEED OF SERVICES, MAKE SURE TO RESEARCH TO SEE IF YOU CAN BUY THOSE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES FROM A BLACK OWNED BUSINESS FIRST!!!!! SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES!!!!!

[both tweets are by Majesty Ria and tagged with #BoycottAmerikkka : You don’t need to go to Target for hair products & body wash or body oils when there are plenty of black owned stores that’s ready to cater to your needs. You can stop eating Chick-Fil-A for a while.. & support some local mom & pop restaurants with better burgers! #BoycottAmerikkka is a community effort. I started it but it’s not mine. It’s ours. Im black, so it’s naturally a Black movement but Malcolm X said “I, for one, will stand with anyone, I don’t care what color you are as long as they wanna change this miserable condition.”]

Would also be really annoying if they wore heat resistant gloves to throw back the hot tear gas canisters and if this got shared to all those protesting…

Would be a further shame if people started covering cameras (as seen in Hong Kong, with protestors using poles and rakes to lift cardboard boxes over security cameras), blinding drone optics with laser pointers, and flooding police-run reporting apps with junk data.

It would be a shame if the protesters noted that plainclothes cops can be identified a number of ways, such as wearing steel-toed boots; an armband or wristband of a particular color; driving white, black, or dark blue cars with concealed lights; or having the outline of cuffs visible in the back pocket or the bumps of an armor vest’s shoulder straps under their shirt.

It would be a shame if the protesters began making their signs out of inch-thick plywood to stop rubber bullets, forming a tight shield wall to prevent police from singling out and mobbing individual protesters. It would be a shame if the people behind the shield wall held up umbrellas so that tear gas canisters fired over the heads of the front line will be bounced away. It would be a shame if protesters began constructing improvised armor vests out of duct tape, hardback books, and ceramic tiles.

It would be a shame if protesters started wearing safety glasses, hard hats, respirators, and gardening gloves, all of which can be found at the same hardware stores as the plywood. It would be a shame if they started using traffic cones (the kind without the hole in the top) upside-down buckets, or other improvised lids to contain tear gas by placing them over the canisters.

It would be a shame if protesters learned that police scanners are legal to own in the US, allowing them to learn where police are moving and what routes they intend to take. It would be a shame if they discovered that these scanners can be used to send as well as receive, allowing them to flood the scanner frequencies with noise.

All this would be a terrible, terrible shame.

If anyone wants to LARP against a large horde of Spartans here’s a tutorial on how to make a durable shield since plywood could crack and damage you

Fresh list of organizations that need funding after this week

A lot of the lists on tumblr have been circulating all week and some of the organizations have taken in as much as they can use with the size/scope of their mission. I signed up to the excellent Reclaim the Block and they just posted this list on their facebook.

Black Table Arts -  Gathering Black communities through the arts, towards better black futures.

Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha - CTUL is a worker-led organization where workers organize, educate and empower each other to fight for a voice in their workplaces and in their communities.

Du Nord Riot Recovery Fund - Du Nord Craft Spirits is a Black-owned distillery with a building that was damaged. They’ve “received a tidal wave of love and support from across the nation and many have asked how they can help… Therefore, Du Nord is establishing this fund to support black and brown companies affected by the riots.”

Little Earth Residents Association - Food and safety needs for residents of Little Earth of United Tribes.

Migizi Communications - MIGIZI Communications advances a message of success, well-being and justice for the American Indian community. Support them rebuilding after fire.

Minnesota Healing Justice Network - We provide a supportive professional community and mutual aid network for wellness and healing justice practitioners who also identify as IBPOC (indigenous, black, or people of color).

Northside business support - support businesses on Minneapolis’s Northside that have been impacted by recent demonstrations.

Pimento Relief Fund - We’re partnering with Pimento to provide black business without insurance relief after white supremacists set them on fire during the protests. 

Powwow Grounds - send via paypal to angelswann2021@gmail.com - Native-run cafe, currently providing meals to elders, protectors and community, purchasing medical supplies, fire supplies, cooking supplies. 

Southside Harm Reduction- Southside Harm Reduction Services works within a harm reduction framework to promote the human rights to health, safety, autonomy, and agency among people who use substances. 

Spiral Collective - A volunteer full-spectrum reproductive options and support group comprised of doulas, birth-workers, and passionate reproductive justice advocates. based in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, occupied Dakhóta territories.

Women for Political Change - Holistically investing in the leadership and political power of young women and trans & non-binary individuals throughout Minnesota.

Unicorn Riot - A decentralized media organization that has been live-streaming uprisings 

The Du Nord Riot Recovery fund and Black Table Arts websites both say that they’ve achieved their funding goals (at current 9:24 EST June 1st).

The Minnesota Healing Justice Network, Pimento Relief Fund, Powwow Grounds, Southside Harm Reduction, Spiral Collective, and Unicorn Riot all have PayPal as an option!

TRAYVON MARTIN was walking home with an iced tea and Skittles. He was shot by George Zinneman, who was found not guilty.

KEITH SCOTT was sitting in a car, reading. He was shot by a police officer, who was not charged.

ATATIANA JEFFERSON was looking out her window, and was shot by a police officer, who is still under indictment for murder.

JONATHAN FERRELL was asking for help after an auto accident. He was shot twelve times by police, case ended in mistrial.

JORDAN EDWARDS was riding in a car and was shot in the back of the head by a police officer, who was found guilty of murder.

STEPHON CLARK was holding a cell phone, and was shot 8 times, 6 in the back. The officers were not charged.

AMADOU DIALLO while taking out his wallet, 41 shots were fired by four different officers. They were all acquitted.

RENISHA MCBRIDE after an auto accident, she knocked on someone’s door for help. The homeowner was found guilty of second-degree murder.

TAMIR RICE was playing with a toy gun, and was shot by police officer arriving on scene. Officer was not charged.

SEAN BELL was hosting a bachelor party. 50 rounds were fired by police officers who were found not guilty of charges.

WALTER SCOTT was pulled over for brake lights, and was shot in the back by a police officer who pleaded guilty to civil rights violations.

PHILANDO CASTILE was pulled over and told officer he had a legally registered weapon in car. Officer acquitted of all charges.

AIYANA JONES was sleeping and was accidentally shot by an officer in a raid on wrong apartment. Officer cleared of all charges.

TERRENCE CRUTCHER needed help when his vehicle broke down. Was shot by a police officer who was found not guilty of manslaughter.

ALTON STERLING was selling CDs, and was shot at close range while being arrested. No charges filed.

FREDDIE GRAY was beaten to death by officers while being transported in police van. All officers involved were acquitted.

JOHN CRAWFORD was shopping at WalMart, holding a BB gun that was on sale—police officer was not charged for his murder.

MICHAEL BROWN was shot twelve times by an officer, including in the back. No charges filed.

JORDAN DAVIS was killed because he was playing loud music. Shooter found guilty of first-degree murder.

SANDRA BLAND was pulled over for traffic ticket; was tasered and then arrested. Suspicious “suicide” while in jail. No charges.

BOTHAM JEAN was fatally shot in his home, which female officer ¿mistook for her own? (Which I’ll never understand.) Officer found guilty of murder.

OSCAR GRANT was handcuffed and placed face-down, officer then shot him in the back. Officer found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

COREY JONES was waiting by his car which was broken down, and was shot three times by police officer, who was found guilty of murder.

AHMAUD AUBREY was jogging. He was shot by two racist men who claimed they suspected him of burglaries. Both men were charged with murder and aggravated assault.

GEORGE FLOYD was suspected of alleged fraud. He handcuffed and pinned to the ground by an officer’s knee. He begged for mercy and he was ignored.

These were all murders. They were not accidental. All of these innocent people: men, women AND children. Were murdered because they were black. Not because they were violent. Not because they were threatening, but because they were black. Something has to change. We have to MAKE a change. Black lives matter. Black men. Black women. Black children. Non-Binary blacks. Trans blacks. Every single one of their lives matter. Your friends. Your neighbors. Your teachers. Your brothers. Your sisters. We are the change.

As a black woman, I am furious. I have no words. I have no more patience. I am angry. I am tired. WE are tired. Oh and our president is a piece of shit racist and unfollow this account if it hurts your poor little feelings to hear me say that. I have spent my whole life watching and experiencing racism and white silence. No more being nice. No more staying silent. If this hurts your feelings and you feel personally attacked by the sentiment then you ain’t ready to hear the message yet. I don’t have any more time for white fragility. I’ve been tip-toeing around it my whole life and I am done. For those that are using their privilege to speak up and make a difference, thank you. You are on the right side of history. ✊🏽 Artwork By Me: @BrooklynnMusic on Instagram

This is important to know because there’s racist people who are saying the blm protesters are just ruining their cities when 99% of them are protesting peacefully for their rights & are not “just looting & ruining their cities.” they turn violent when cops are violent to them. Remember that buildings are replaceable but innocent lives aren’t.

I’ve gotten permission from my friend to share this picture. Please, please, please spread this around. The news isn’t covering this issue, and it’s absolutely terrifying to know that there are people who don’t know what’s happening in Minneapolis right now.

This post is from June 1st, 2020, at around 5am EST

D O N ‘ T.

G E T.

D I S T R A C T E D.

B Y.

H O L L O W.

R E P U T A T I O N.

D A M A G E.

C O N T R O L.

HOW TO DONATE TO BLM WHEN YOU HAVE NO MONEY

a black woman named zoe amira posted a video on youtube. this video is an hour long and filled with art and music from black creators. it has a ton of ads, and in result will rack up a ton of revenue. 100% of the ad revenue from the video will be dispersed between various blm organizations, including bail-out funds for protesters. it will be split between the following, dependent on necessity

please, please reblog. for people who don’t have money to spare, this is incredibly important information to have.

It makes me so angry when people say “I lost respect for the BLM protesters once they turned violent.” Like, alright, to start, let’s forget about the arrogance behind saying something like that, as if you are someone worthy enough to judge anyone, as if anyone needs your respect to be valid, but let’s put that aside, we’re going to put your obvious privilege and arrogance to the side, to make way for the larger picture. And, let’s also put aside the fact that most of the violence isn’t even being done by the BLM protests (they are in fact self-policing and stopping people from looting and being violent), but let’s put that to the side too, because that’s another discussion. So, we have people invalidating the BLM protests because they are being destructive, alright. Imagine, if you even can, the things black people have to swallow on a daily basis, all the disrespect and injustice thrown at them every single day of their lives. The lack of human kindnesses and courtesies that your white privilege buys you, that most white people take for granted. Imagine the destruction and violence thrust upon them everyday, emotionally and physically, by white people, how it must affect the mind and soul and heart, having to keep all that anger and sorrow and fear inside of them for years and lifetimes and generations. You can’t imagine it I’m sure, I can’t either, I have privilege but also compassion and a heart, so when I see people who have suffered for so long burning buildings, destroying objects, shouting and singing, coming together to protect each other and protest beside each other so loudly and openly and passionately for all the world to see, to finally be seen, I hope, it is, at the very least, a little cathartic to let those things they’ve been swallowing come out. If you, as a white person, feel uncomfortable right now by seeing the protests, good, you can stand to feel that way for a little while, we owe them that, at the very least. And if you, as a white person, aren’t going to love, support and protect black people through this then shut up and get out of the way because it’s not about you and your feelings right now, as hard as that might be for you to understand.

“To not have your suffering recognized is an almost unbearable form of violence.” Andrei Lankov

Source

Here’s an explanation retweeted by the Minnesota Freedom Fund of what’s happening in Minneapolis right now. When it comes to all the voices clamoring to tell you what’s going on in Minneapolis, find the people who are actually IN Minneapolis and listen to what they have to say before you listen to someone five states away who insist, for example, that saying there’s white supremacist groups causing problems in Minneapolis right now is a liberal fantasy. It’s not. There really are white supremacists causing problems in Minneapolis right now and I’ve seen at least half a dozen people who have been verified to live in Minneapolis who have confirmed this and I’ve barely even been looking. This information is easy to find but you have to understand that when you want to find out what’s happening, you have to listen to the people who are living through it.

Here’s a link to a google sheet of ALL BAIL FUNDS around the country. You can also add missing bail funds here by messaging me!

Please spread this link around!

ALSO, here’s a comprehensive link to a google doc that includes a compiled list of petitions, resources, ways to get in touch with law officials, resources for international people, all donations, and organizations you can donate to support the black lives matter movement!

Hey, okay... Here I was wondering what on earth I could do from here in the UK — there’s a whole tonne of stuff here that international folks can support with.

WAYS TO SUPPORT/BE AN ALLY

Here is a compilation of places to donate (IF you can, simply reblogging and sharing this can help) and petition to sign. I found these websites and organizations on twitter.

DONATIONS

PETITIONS

If you know of ANY other organizations or petitions, PLEASE ADD TO THIS LIST. The fight for justice doesn’t end here, it will never end. Especially when the president of the United States calls white supremacists good people and protesters of a mans death THUGS. USE YOUR VOICE. NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE. FUCK COPS. FUCK “BLUE LIVES”. ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER!

the minnesota freedom fund is asking folks to donate to other organizations instead. the specific ones they listed are black visions, linked above, and these two:

these are the links i send to my facebook friends who keep running their mouths about “the protests hurting the community”

some more groups that could use your help

last but not least some more bail funds

See above and also note:

[Transcript]

From Minnesota Freedom Fund’s Twitter:

“Hey ya’ll, there is a fraudulent Venmo account circulating with our name on it. At this time, the Minnesota Freedom Fund DOES NOT HAVE A VENMO. Do NOT send funds there.”