Looking for ways to show up in the movement for racial justice?
The acquittal of Officer Yanez for the killing of Philando Castile is deeply disappointing. The message it sends is that the criminal justice system fails Black people - fails to keep them safe and fails to bring them justice. In protest, thousands of people have gathered in rallies and taken to the streets calling for change. Local organizations have held numerous Community Conversation events with the aim of bringing people together to share their feelings and views on what has happened and what needs ot be done to change this situation.
Together with other groups, we have compiled a list of ways to stand in solidarity with this movement and to support change.
EVENTS:
Friday 23rd June - Twin City Shut Down Rally4Philando, part 2, 1.30 – 4.30pm, Loring Park, Minneapolis, organized by Alexander Clark
Monday 26th June – Legal Observer Organizing Meeting, 6 – 8pm, Hosmer Library, Minneapolis, organized by National Lawyers Guild, Minnesota to plan the recruitment, training and dispatch of leghal observers at the time.
Tuesday 27th June - “Black Lives Matter: Race, Resistance, and Hope”, 6.30 – 9pm, Hamline University, West hall 240, St., St Paul, organized by Center for Justice and Law at Hamline University as part of “Summer of Justice” discussion series.
Tuesday 27th June – After the Verdict: Demand St. Anthony Stop Racial Profiling, 7-10pm, St. Anthony Village City Hall and Community Center, St Paul, organized by Sandi Sherman. Pack the City Council and demand the St. Anthony Police Dept. stop the practices of racial profiling and petty traffic stops.
Sunday 9th July - Showing Up in Racial Justice Movements Workshop, 2pm, First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Avenue, South, Minneapolis, organized by SURJ MN (Showing Up for Racial Justice Minnesota). This training helps prepare people to show up in multiracial movement spaces in ways that are consistent with SURJ MN values of accountability and followership.
Tuesday 1st August - Multicultural Night to Unite Festival , 5-7pm at Coon Rapids Soccer Complex, organized by Transformative Circle.
Organizations to support or donate to:
St Paul Central High School Philando Castile Scholarship
Philando Castile Relief Foundation, set up by Valeria Castile - donations accepted and more information here:
JJ Hill Montessori Magnet School – donate to the school Philando Castile worked at, in his name.
Communities United Against Police Brutality has been coordinating providing legal counsel for the 18 people arrested at the protests last weekend. There will be legal fees associated with helping those individuals that go to court. Please consider supporting this organization, check out their website and Facebook page – see below - and if you decide to donate money to them, make the checks payable to “Legal Fees”.
National Lawyers Guild of Minnesota has been providing lawyers for those arrested, It is worth looking at their website to learn more about what they do.
OTHER ACTIONS:
Sign Color Of Change's petition demanding the officer who killed Philando Castile does not profit off of his death.
Read Thread of Solidarity: WOC Against Racism on actions to dismantle white supremacy
Read ravishly.com on how to address police brutality
Listen to MPR’s podcast “74 Seconds” on the trial of Officer Yanez
Useful article for white parents wanting to know how to talk to their white children about the Philando Castile case:
RESOURCES FOR RACIAL JUSTICE:
Black Lives Matter Minneapolis
Text @blacklives to 23559 for upcoming action alerts!
Showing Up for Racial Justice MN
Thanks to Sonja Hendrickson of Action Together Twin Cities for help with this list.