Let’s talk about Yemen, where half of the population is expected to die by the next year if they don’t get immediate help, and there has been a civil war going on since 2014.
I looked up which organisations are helping Yemen and IRUSA came up a significant number of times as being trustworthy, transparent and it seems to be a good choice. Also, Save The Children:
since i’m from the uk + probably have quite a few followers from the uk, i thought i’d gather some ways we can support black people in the uk atm (this is not comprehensive, just things i have come across, will probably add to + encourage others to add to!):
donate to black minds matter uk who are currently crowdfunding to offer free therapy sessions with black practitioners to as many black individuals + families as possible atm - donate here + their website with more info on is here
donate to this fund in memory of belly mujinga, a railway worker who was spat at whilst at work + later died of coronavirus. the money is going towards supporting her family, including her 11 year old daughter
donate to this crowdfund which is raising money to support black-owned publishers committed to inclusive publishing - the crowdfund ends in 8 days (10th june)
WRITE TO YOUR MP! u can use this website as an easy way to find your local mp + send them a message - remember to include your address so they know you’re one of their constituents. a couple of things you could include in your message to them:
demand the immediate suspension of uk sales of teargas, riot shields + rubber bullets to the US - see this article for more info about this
ask them to respond to the DELAYED release of the report into BAME covid deaths + demand the government do more to tackle the death rate - you can read the report here
since i have not seen anybody share information on this here, please pay attention to the philippines right now and provide any support you can. if this bill passes, people’s basic rights to free speech will be taken from them.
anyone seeing this from the ph, please stay safe and stay strong. these are scary times.
While people are inclined to whip out their phones and film when they see something alarming happening, those videos are not always recorded in a way that can be used as evidence in a legal proceeding or to support advocacy tactics.
At the human rights organization WITNESS, where I work as the senior U.S. program coordinator, we’ve learned that video has a greater chance of making an impact when it’s filmed ethically and strategically, and released in coordination with advocacy and legal efforts. Using the camera in your pocket can be a valuable way to ensure the world bears witness to abusive policing and systemic racism, help hold authorities accountable, and advocate for the real safety of our communities.
pride month starts tomorrow, but don’t let that distract from continuing to protest and donate in support of black lives matter. here are some black lgbt funds to donate to if you are able:
also, i know many pride events have been cancelled due to covid-19, but if you are going in public to protest or to another event, please be careful and wear a mask. covid is still going on through all this
If you live outside of the US, you can still demand justice for George Floyd’s death by emailing police@minneapolismn.gov. Here’s a script i used for my email:
My name is ___ and I am a resident of ___. I’m emailing today on behalf of the George Floyd case. I’m calling for the prosecution of Derek Chauvin #1087 and his partner Tou Thao #7162 to the fullest extent of the law. George was arrested under an implied, nonviolent crime, and bystanders claim that he never resisted his arrest. The approach that the officers chose to take resulted in murder. This crime should not be pardoned or ignored because it was committed by the so-called officers of the law. Black lives matter.
The protests in Minneapolis over George Floyd’s death reminded me that many people don’t know the basics to protecting yourself from police brutality during a demonstration. This post is focused on combating CS gas (tear gas)
WHEN PREPARING FOR A PROTEST:
wear a scarf, bandana, or face mask to protect your nose and mouth. this is the standard if expecting tear gas, but right now it is especially important in light of Covid-19 as well.
cover your head with a scarf or beanie, and if your have long hair, tie it up. Try to cover as much skin as possible.
wear goggles. ski or swim goggles are ideal, but if unavailable sunglasses are better than nothing.
Carry all your things in a backpack, to keep hands free & make running easier
bring water, especially if you’re planning on being outside for long
avoid makeup, especially around the eyes and mouth
avoid contact lenses if possible
TO COMBAT TEAR GAS:
don’t panic and avoid running: try to keep breathing even. stay on the lookout for people who may have fallen and are at risk of being trampled
traffic cone method: drop a traffic cone over the top of the canister, than pour water in until the canister is snuffed.
water bottle method: stick canister into a metal water bottle, shake until drowned. do not try without proper protection, especially since tear gas canisters can inflict 2nd degree burns if touched without gloves.
after exposure: use a spray bottle filled with water and baking soda (3 teaspoons powder to 8.5oz liquid) to spray face and mouth to neutralize the tear gas effects.
take a cold shower for at least 20 minutes if you have been exposed, and keep contaminated clothes in a well ventilated area for at least 48hrs before washing
