It is a vital time for us to all commit to anti-racism. Police brutality and the violence being inflicted by the state toward Black people in the US (and the UK) is something that has been allowed by society for far too long. The police have been able to kill Black citizens with impunity and this rebellion is the necessary battle to bring this to the world’s attention. Generations of lives have been lost in a tragedy spanning centuries and continuing today. As a community organisation with a platform we’re re-committing to amplifying the message of the current struggle for Black liberation against police brutality.
A violent and racist police is how the privilege that non-Black people have is enforced and protected. This supremacy must be destabilised. White supremacy kills, en masse.
For those queer-identified people that have been a-political, or not known what sexuality has to do with fighting violent oppression, or not known what part you can play, this inaction was a privilege. As we enter #PrideMonth and take pride in those who rioted and faced police brutality for queer liberation, we must hold Black Lives Matter protestors and those rebelling in anger against police violence in the same regard: with pride, care, and honour.
Now is the time to commit to life-long learning and solidarity. NONE OF US ARE FREE UNTIL ALL OF US ARE FREE.
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Resources:
- Black Revolutionary Texts
- Protect yourself and your protest against surveillance
- Resources for Black Healing
- Black Racial Justice and Community Orgs
Resources for allies:
- How to Help (UK specific)
- Ways to commit to dismantling White Supremacy from BLM Louisville
- Black photographers covering BLM movement to follow
- Ibram X Kendi’s Anti Racist Reading List
- Talking to kids about race
Join the protest respectfully:
- Attend if none of your household have symptoms. Ideally isolate for 7 days after.
- WEAR A MASK. Bring sanitiser and masks for others if you can. Observe social distancing where possible. Bring water.
- Stand back and give up space for BIPOC. Do not talk over others or demand energy / emotional labour. Be prepared to defend BIPOC people by forming a barrier between them and police. Film police. Keep an eye on the safety of frontline protestors.
- Don’t bring drugs or anything you don’t want to be caught with.
- Put your phone on airplane mode or, safer still, leave your smart phones at home.
Donate money (and consider making it regular if employed):
Brooklyn Community Bail Out Fund
Petitions to sign and share:
Petition to teach real history in UK schools
Stop selling arms for the US to use on its citizens
Justice for bystander David McAtee killed 1 June
Don’t let the state execute Julius Jones
Message us at hi@fringefilmfest.com if there’s a resource you would like us to amplify.
