As Australians, we are guests in hip-hop culture. It is our duty and obligation not to remain silent. Not at this moment, not ever. We pledge to use our voices to speak against injustice, oppression and racism abroad and at home. We stand in solidarity with those in pain and stand against power structures that uphold white supremacy everywhere.
Below is a list of resources and organisations for those who wish to contribute to the ongoing situation in the USA and the injustices faced at home against Indigenous lives.
Donate:
Organisations in the USA have set up ‘Bail Funds’ you can donate to, which pay the bail to release people arrested during the protests. A huge part of the systemic racism built into the law enforcement system is setting bail which many people cannot afford – another example of the privilege that allows some people pay their way out of the criminal system, while others are denied the same opportunity due only to their socioeconomic status.
It is also worth donating to organisations that provide services to Black people in America fighting their way through a corrupt and stacked judicial system.
Some options:
- The Bail Project
- Black Visions Collective
- Northstar Health Collective
- Reclaim the Block
- ACLU
- Communities United Against Police Brutality
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund
There is also a GoFundMe for George Floyd’s family.
Advocate for Indigenous Australians:
Remember that this happens in Australia too.
More than 400 Indigenous people have died while in police custody, since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody. There have been no convictions, despite clear similarities to the situation in the US where:
- Indigenous Australians have been arrested for minor, non-violent offences, and have died while under police custody
- Indigenous Australians are over-represented in both men’s and women’s prison populations, and juvenile detention, despite being a smaller % of the general population.
Donate:
Justice for David Dungay Junior
Justice for Yuendumu: Inquiry on Police Shooting
Deadly Connections Community and Justice Services
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
State-based Aboriginal Legal Services:
North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency
Aboriginal Legal Service Western Australia
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement South Australia
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Aboriginal Legal Service New South Wales and ACT
Attend the peaceful protests happening around the country this weekend:
Sydney:
Stop All Black Deaths In Custody: Vigil for George Floyd, Saturday, June 6, 3-5pm: 20 Lee St, Chippendale
Melbourne:
Stop Black Deaths In Custody – Justice For George Floyd #BLM hosted by Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, Saturday, June 6, 2-5pm: Parliament House, Melbourne
Canberra:
Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest – Friday, June 5, 10.30am: Garema Place
Brisbane:
Black Lives Matter Protest organised by the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, Saturday, June 6, 12pm: Queen Street Mall
Black Lives Matter – Stop Deaths In Custody Meanjin, Saturday, June 6, 1-5pm: King George Square
Say Their Name – Black Lives Matter Vigil, Saturday, June 6, 4.30-7pm: King George Square
Perth:
Perth Peaceful BLM Protest, Saturday, June 13, 12pm: Hyde Park, Vincent St and William St
Adelaide:
Adelaide: Solidarity With Minneapolis! Justice For George Floyd, Saturday, June 6, 12-1:30pm: Northern end of Tarndanyangga, Victoria Square