Black Lives Matter: Donate, Petition, Educate + Manchester protest info

Let’s get to the root of the problem. Click the image to sign this petition.

Although many schools choose not to use the National Curriculum, objectives are often based on them as schools develop their own schemes. The fact that none of the below is detailed in the current National Curriculum is wrong. As schools tailor their curriculum to their own children, this should be front and centre as a human issue.

Imagine growing up armed with knowledge of facts that aren’t covered up or denied access to by a whitewashing of the curriculum – being opened up to real histories that impact directly on current affairs that affect children’s families directly, often with an injection of fear – rather than revelations as an adult via social media. The country owes that to its children, now more than ever.

Manchester Tribute by Akse

Art and painting by Akse @ Stevenson Square, Manchester, 3 June 2020
Read more on his Instagram.

In the 1860’s Manchester, known as Cottonopolis, imported up to 3/4 of all cotton grown on southern US plantations; but millworkers refused, at great personal sacrifice, to touch raw cotton picked by US slaves despite facing starvation and destitution in order to support President Lincoln’s embargo. Lincoln acknowledged the self-sacrifice of the working men of Manchester in a letter he sent in 1863. Black Lives Matter. Manchester will always show its support against injustice. RIP George Floyd. 

#akse#p19#graffiti#art#streetart#manchester#mcr#georgefloyd#blacklivesmatter Special thanks to the @outhousemcr for the support

Manchester BLM Protests: When and Where?

Last weekend’s #BLMMCR protest, from J.Chambers’ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jaycmcr/
Photo by Kenny Brown
https://www.instagram.com/kennybrownphoto/

You may not feel comfortable joining hundreds of people at close quarters – coronavirus is very real and has not gone away.

We know, for whatever reasons, people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds are at greater risk, which is another reason to be overly cautious. The risk of a second spike is on the horizon and there are already quarters looking to blame BLM protests for that, despite the widespread pictures seen from crowded beaches and the fact that Cummings’ antics have almost single-handedly facilitated an anti-lockdown paradigm.

Although the protests below encourage social distancing and are vitally important reasons to leave the house, if you’re unsure or need to shield for others, perhaps consider making a difference online by donating, writing to your MP to react to the research findings, or speaking up against those that don’t get it (but not the bots and trolls, don’t waste your time).

Don’t feel imaginary peer pressure or that you’re a bad person if you choose not to go – we live in unique times fighting against an eternal inequality.

If you do attend – please enact social distancing out of respect for others.

If you’ve landed here and are wondering what any of this has to do with Manchester or the UK, or why it’s offensive to counter with ‘all lives matter don’t they?’… maybe head to the Education tab.

SAT 6 JUN / 1PM / PICCADILLY GARDENS

Static socially distanced peaceful protest.

*SUN 7 JUN / 2PM / ST PETER’S SQUARE

The next #MCRBLM socially distanced peaceful protest. Find more info here and follow the hashtag here.

2016:

Who can I donate to?

The protests are making waves and are badly needed, but many may not feel comfortable given we’re in a pandemic. Should you wish to donate somewhere, here are a few ideas.

UK BLM Fund

George Floyd Memorial Fund
Minnesota Freedom Fund
Black Visions Collective

North Star Health Collective

blacklivesmatters.carrd.co

Justice For Breonna Taylor

Ahmaud Arbery Fund

Split a donation between 38 bail funds

Reclaim The Block
Campaign Zero
Unicorn Riot

The Bail Project

RIP Belly Mujinga

The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust

Where can I petition?

Change.org

Color of Change

We Can’t Breathe

NAACP

Movement For Black Lives

A template: Write to your MP asking them to respond to the BAME COVID-19 findings


Educate

The ‘whatabouters’ are out in force but the upside to them posting their ‘whatabboutery’ is that they may actually learn something in the process. Some useful links for those that may or may not want to confront their own ignorance.

Natalie Morris: Can white people experience racism?

CNN: How you can support marginalised communities

The Guide To Allyship

For our white friends desiring to be allies

Anti Racism Resources

The unbearable grief of Black mothers

The Conscious Kid

It’s not a Black person’s job to teach white people how to be less racist, but advocates like Layla Saad continue to guide people through the process.

Image: The Floyd family
#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
View this post on Instagram

Yesterday, in yet another act of anti-black police violence causing mass outrage, George Floyd yelled “I can’t breathe” and pleaded for his life as a white Minneapolis police officer violently pinned him down with his knee on his neck. George died after. He was murdered in broad daylight. His death is reminiscent of the death of Eric Garner. Even with a crowd yelling at him to stop and while folks filmed the murder, the cop did it anyway, showing the massive injustice, zero accountability and white supremacy embedded in the “criminal justice” system. Heartbroken, angry and disgusted. This must end. Much love and solidarity to Black communities grieving another beautiful life lost. May George Floyd Rest in Power. Text ‘Floyd’ to 55156 to demand the officers be charged with murder. You can also call Mayor Jacob Frey at (612)-673-2100, DA Mike Freeman at (612)-348-5550 and demand justice. #blacklivesmatter #georgefloyd #icantbreathe #justiceforgeorgefloyd

A post shared by shirien (@shirien.creates) on

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Tonight/Tomorrow (and moving forwards) I will be focusing on reading some literature and watching some docu-series around white privilege and racism in the US and U.K. to further educate myself on the oppression faced by our poc friends/communities so that I may better support them where I can. I owe it to them, as my friends, and to the black culture which has given me so much joy through music, art, sport, food, etc, etc. I will shortly post the lists that I will be working from (thank you to @unity.celeste) as well as some information on ‘How to be actively Antiracist’ (thank you to @goodgoodgoodco) on my stories. I love having a series buddy at the best of times, so let me know if you’d like to watch one together so that we can learn together? The DMs are open (and dusty so bring a face mask with you). It’s a weird feeling to realise that just not being racist isn’t quite enough. It’s uncomfortable for those of us who care for human lives equally. But I’m getting used to those feelings now. I’m accepting them and seeing this moment as an opportunity to better understand myself, love my neighbours and become an ally in time. Thanks to @missloujasmine and @carltonmcfarlane for taking the time for me on this. #alwaylearning #theshowmustbepaused #justiceforgeorgefloyd

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agentj

Agent J aka Jamie Groovement: writer, host, DJ and teacher. @jamiegroovement