Too many times, in too many cities and towns across this country — for far too long — we’ve mourned the loss of Black lives taken by police officers sworn to protect them.

Murders of Black Americans at the hands of the police are not isolated or uncommon. These are tragedies resulting from a long history of institutional racism and violence against Black Americans. As long as Black communities live in fear of those who claim to protect and serve, we have failed.  

In this fight against racism and discrimination, and for opportunity and accountability, we will do what is in our power to support and elect Democratic candidates up and down the ticket, who vow to embrace an anti-racist, anti-xenophobic platform, and who support the kind of reforms that will disrupt age-old systems, structures, cultures and practices that have propped up the racist treatment of Black and Brown people in this state and country throughout our history.

Take Action

Dismantling institutional discrimination will take a consciously anti-racist effort, particularly from those who’ve been beneficiaries of bias. As activists, organizers, and allies, we know that direct and immediate action is the best way to make real change. So, we’ve put together a list of things you can do right now to fight for racial justice here in Massachusetts and across the country: 

Support local and national activists. 

Donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, these national and statewide groups, or support other groups calling for justice. 

Learn about the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

This month, the US House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021, the first-ever bold, comprehensive approach to hold police accountable, end racial profiling, change the culture of law enforcement, empower our communities, and build trust between law enforcement and our communities by addressing systemic racism and bias to help save lives.

Protest safely.

COVID-19 has already disproportionately affected communities of color, so remember to wear a mask and practice good hygiene when protesting and practice social distancing if you can. You should also practice good “cybersecurity hygiene,” meaning you should:

• Enable full-disk encryption on your devices
• Use Signal/Wickr with disappearing messages for both text messages and phone calls
• Back up your data
• Enable airplane mode for the entire duration of your attendance if possible
• Take photos and videos without unlocking your phone
• Removing fingerprint unlock and Face ID (but still enabling a passcode with minimum of six digits)

Remember: you should never share photos where protestors are clearly identifiable. Blur faces, tattoos, or other identifying features to protect their privacy and keep them from being targeted by people unsympathetic to the cause. 

If you’re protesting, you should know your rights. Check out these videos from the ACLU on how to keep yourself and your devices safe. 

Support Black-owned businesses. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected communities of color. If you live in Boston, check out this list of Black-owned businesses to support. 

Take time for self care. 

The images and videos we’re seeing online and on the news can be traumatic, especially for Black folks who’ve experienced police violence. Mental health and self care is essential to organizing for change. View the Healing Justice and Action Toolkits from Black Lives Matter here. 

If you’re an ally, educate yourself. 

Many organizations have compiled anti-racist resources like this one from Ibram X. Kendi. Add some anti-racist literature to your reading list.