Police Brutality in America Teach-Out

There are many ways you can get involved in the work to end police brutality. With so many options on how to get involved, you may feel overwhelmed or wonder if your actions will make a difference. Start by starting, and remember that this work is a marathon, not a sprint. Change will likely be slower than any of us want, but we have to keep trying. 

Find ways to make taking action part of your life and routine, like: 

• Focusing on one area of the work that you feel most passionate about
• Scheduling reminders on your calendar to make phone calls, attend meetings, or donate time and resources
• Setting a goal of actions you want to accomplish for the week, month, and year 
• Taking time to reflect, re-evaluate, and push yourself when needed

Ask yourself:

• What can I do each day? 
• What actions build on my existing strengths? 
• What actions might help me grow or step out of my comfort zone?
• What’s one thing I think is worth doing but am hesitating on, and why? How might I take the first step?  

Take Action: Resources

This is a non-exhaustive list of some suggestions. The additional resources link throughout this Teach-Out also provide information and suggestions about a variety of other actions that you may consider as part of your plan.

Find out about national and local law enforcement policies

• #8toabolition - information about the police abolition movement.
• Reclaim the Block - information and resources about policing alternatives.
• Critical Resistance - organization combating the global prison industrial complex.
• Campaign Zero - information about policy solutions and action items on police violence in the U.S..

Donate money to activist organizations or organizations supporting the wellbeing of activists and BIPOC

• The Loveland Foundation - Therapy fund focused on Black women and girls.
• The Steve Fund - national organization supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing of young people of color.
• The Bail Project - national bail fund combatting mass incarceration and inequity in the carceral state.
• NAACP: Legal Defense and Education Fund - legal organization combating racial injustice through litigation, advocacy, and public education.

Get involved in local organizations in your area

• Black Lives Matter - extensive list of organizations to donate to, ways to support ongoing actions, and additional resources for local, nation, and international anti-racist efforts.

• Poor People’s Campaign - a National Call for Moral Revival - A reinvigoration of MLK’s Poor People’s Campaign. Chapters available in all states with resources and training for new activists and organizers. 

• Fight for $15 - national organization advocating for $15 national minimum wage and the right to workplace unionization. Local chapters available in many states.

• The Movement for Black Lives - Parent organization connecting Black organizations across the U.S. to debate and build a movement-wide strategy.

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