Justice for George Floyd: Actions and Resources

Photo by Brad Sigal

On Monday May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an unarmed Black man was killed while in Minneapolis police custody. Over the course of this week, we have witnessed the sorrow and rage resulting from generations of racist policies and discrimination against Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. The fact that there have been no arrests for the killing of Mr. Floyd is simply the latest example of these policies.

As educators, we know that we must speak out against white supremacy and take action to dismantle systems of oppression wherever we find them. We must work to repair past harms and support our communities at every level. We must stand with those that have felt the greatest hurt.

On Monday, June 1, our union family at MFT (Minneapolis Federation of Teachers) will wear black as a sign of mourning for Mr. Floyd and as a symbol of solidarity with the community. We ask our SPFE family to do the same.

Additional Resources and Actions

Donate

Twin Cities Aid Distribution Locations Map

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Our community is facing unprecedented challenges. Serve Saint Paul: Neighbors Helping Neighbors is building a community of service in Saint Paul by connecting neighbors who could use a helping hand through this situation. In partnership with Cities of Service and AARP, this initiative engages volunteers to safely support community members who are experiencing barriers to meeting some basic needs due to age, mobility, income, or other factors. Working together as a community, our city will emerge stronger and more connected. Get started at stpaul.gov/neighbors. 

Connect with Community Organizations: Saint Paul’s District Councils and several community organizations are coordinating food drives or accepting donations to support residents. Find contact information below for organizations actively involved in these efforts. 

Bethlehem Lutheran in the Midway (436 Roy St. N)

Greater Eastside Community Council, Payne-Phalen Community Council, and Mom’s Food Shelf

Indigenous Roots (788 E 7th St)

New Hope Baptist Church (712 Burr St)

Urban Roots (463 Maria Ave E)

Community-Based Emergency Assistance in St Paul: for folks who are in need and for folks who can provide assistance.

East Side St. Paul Community-Based Emergency Assistance: for folks who are in need and for folks who can provide assistance.

George Floyd Memorial Fund (Official) 

*From Black Visions Collective: Orgs like Black Visions and Reclaim the Block have gotten an overwhelming amount of support and we are trying to uplift and redirect funds to BIPOC orgs to fortify our radical MN organizing ecosystem: additional organizations to donate to can be found at this link.*

Black Visions Collective

Reclaim the Block

We Heart Lake Street

CTUL MN

Communities United Against Police Brutality

Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar

MPD150

Take Action MN

Communities Organizing Latinx Power and Action

North Star Health Collective

Minnesota Freedom Fund Bail Fund

Northside Economic Opportunity Network

Take Action

Rally: No More Police in Our Schools, Tuesday, June 2 at 3p.m. at Minneapolis Public Schools

“Sit to Breathe” Sit In, Tuesday, June 2, 1-4pm at the State Capitol

Liberation School: Fight 4 Community Control of the Police, Thursday, June 4, 6-7pm online

Governor Walz Not One More Death, Saturday, June 6, 1-3pm in St. Paul

Minneapolis Demands Justice Petition by the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers

Labor for Justice for George Floyd: SPFE leadership has signed onto this resolution and we encourage all SPFE members to sign

Justice for Big Floyd (Grassroots Law Project)

Make Calls

Showing Up for Racial Justice: Week of action to #EndWhiteSilence: May 30th to June 6th

Resources

Unicorn Riot –  Independent Media source providing coverage of the George Floyd Protest  

KFAI – Fresh Air Community Radio- Local

Black Immigrant Collective

5 Ways White People Can Take Action (local) 

Anti-Raism Resources for White People 

5 anti-racism resources for teachers

More anti-racism resources

5 ways to address bias in your school

Share My Lesson racism collection

Ibram X. Kendi blog

Racial Justice in Education resource guide

Teaching Tolerance

Talking about race in the classroom

Confronting White Nationalism in Schools toolkit

Equity & social justice website