Police Brutality Action Kit

by 01/02/2015

Art by Tes One Artwork from www.showingupforracialjustice.org

Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) was formed in 2009 by white people from across the US to respond to the significant increase of targeting and violence against people of color. The killings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO; Eric Garner on Staten Island, NY; Ezell Ford in Los Angeles, CA; and John Crawford in Beavercreek, Ohio  are the latest in a long series of extrajudicial (outside the law) killings of people of color in the United States.  We mourn the loss of life, see the impact on communities of color and believe that white people must partner across race and other differences to create social change. SURJ is here to provide resources and support for white people to make this happen.

e look to each other to change the world we live, in one conversation and action at a time, and our efforts are to build a broad and deep movement of white people to work in partnership with communities of color for real racial justice in the US and everywhere. Please join us as we build on a long tradition of white people engaged in racial justice work in our local communities, our states, and around the world.

What We Can Do: Table of Contents and Quick Links

As white people, we must show up in the struggle for human rights and dignity, and demand an end to targeting people of color. This can happen in small and large ways every day.

Below are actions you can take in response to these murders and violence against people of color, ranging from one minute to a lifetime of action. Please join us in making a commitment to take one or more of these actions in this important time.

SURJ is a national volunteer-led organization of white people engaging other white people in racial justice work. We have chapters across the country and are always looking for new members. To join, go here and we will connect you with other people in your area.

Petitions are one way for us to show a united force. Please take a minute and sign these important petitions.

Sign on to demand police accountability for the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown

Sign a petition to Congress: Demilitarize Police! No More Fergusons!

Sign on to urge your representative to pass the Voting Rights Act recently gutted by the Supreme Court

Harmony Goldberg, Writer & Educator: “It’s not about being “surprised” by the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the brutal murder of a child, an innocent Black teenager named Trayvon Martin. On a conceptual level, I understand that – more than baseball or apple pie – racism is what defines the United States of America. But I will never stop being shocked and heartbroken at this nation’s absolute and profound disregard for the lives of Black people.”

Use the hash-tags:

#ferguson, #blacklivesmatter #handsup #mikebrown #Showup4RJ

Until the killing of black men, black mothers’ sons, is as important as the killing of white men, white mothers’ sons  #blacklivesmatter #Showup4RJ

An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere #ferguson, #blacklivesmatter, #Showup4RJ

White privilege is the difference between life and death. My white son will never be murdered by Darren Wilson. #JusticeforMikeBrown #blacklivesmatter #Showup4RJ

Speak out against racial profiling.  No more Michael Browns. #blacklivesmatter  #Showup4RJ

Every 28 hours there’s another #mikebrown. http://mxgm.org/report-on-the-extrajudicial-killings-of-120-black-people/ #blacklivesmatter  #Showup4RJ

Has anyone ever followed you with a gun because you looked like a threat to their neighborhood?  #Showup4RJ #whiteprivilege #justiceformikebrown

5 Minute Action: Spread the word through art

Share one of the following images on your Facebook page or (via other social media outlets) and write a message about why it is important to you as a white person. Thanks to the artists who have offered to use their artwork for this project. Visit their websites to see more of their art. Paste the link onto Facebook, Twitter or Instagram if you post the picture.

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