CULTURE

Taking Back Pride: Black Lives Matter Marches Led by Queer and Trans People Reclaim Pride's Radical Roots

The Brooklyn Liberation March, a protest for Black Trans Lives, was truer to the original spirit and point of Pride than any corporatized Pride march.

This year's truest Pride event so far had no corporate floats and no rainbow flag logos.

It was brought together in a spirit of rage and defiance. It was the Brooklyn Liberation March, which began at the Brooklyn Museum and wound its way through Brooklyn for hours.

15,000 people, most clad in white, walked in the hot sunshine on June 12th. The march was organized by several Black trans-led organizations.

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Why Elijah McClain's Death Makes "All Lives Matter" People So Much More Uncomfortable

How do you fall back on your "Well they shouldn't commit crimes!" argument now?

It was recently announced that the death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who died in 2019 while in police custody, will be reexamined by Colorado Officials.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis personally announced that his administration will reexamine the case. The governor wrote on Twitter, "a fair and objective process free from real or perceived bias for investigating officer-involved killings is critical." Polis added that he is having lawyers "examine what the state can do and we are assessing next steps."



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What's Up with All These Fireworks?

New Yorkers have been hearing constant explosions throughout the night. Is it a conspiracy?

If you live in a large metropolitan area like New York City, Black Lives Matter protests likely aren't the only things you hear making noise in the streets.

In the past couple of weeks, as Black Lives Matter supporters march in memory of George Floyd and countless other Black people killed by police, the sounds of fireworks can be heard virtually every weekend. More than just your average Fourth of July shindig, these explosions often trail into the wee hours of the morning.

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Dear Allies: Black Lives Matter Is More Than a Social Media Trend

It's time for real allyship.

The protests that are being held in many American cities since the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and recently, Rayshard Brooks, have drawn a lot of support and solidarity not just in the U.S, but across the world in general.

There has never been a better time to use one's voice–no matter how small–to speak up against racial injustice than now.

Online protests have also flooded social media , and they have proven more than ever to be an important part of the cause. In the last few days, we've seen several brands and companies get called out on Twitter for failing to embrace diversity in business, as well as for their unfair treatment of Black employees.

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How to Get Involved in Juneteenth with the Movement for Black Lives This Weekend

Support the Movement for Black Lives.

On June 19, 1865, a Union edict announced that all slaves in Texas were free.

Now, June 19th is known as Juneteenth (or Jubilee Day or Freedom Day). It's an official celebration of the end of slavery. This year, Juneteenth is falling in the midst of a massive revolutionary Black Lives Matter movement, which erupted following the recent death of George Floyd but which is an extension of the Civil Rights movement and a reaction to 400 years of Black oppression in America.

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ISSUES

BLM Activist Oluwatoyin Salau Found Dead After Tweeting About Her Assault

Salau is one of multiple Black people killed following the murder of George Floyd.

In the wake of protests following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, the list of lost demonstrators is growing.

This weekend, Black Lives Matter activist Oluwatoyin Salau was found dead in her hometown of Tallahassee, Fl. at just 19 years old. This follows the recent loss of Black transgender man named Tony McDade, who was murdered by Tallahassee police. A suspect has been taken into custody surrounding the death, but friends of Salau say there's much more to the story.

Sources close to Salau say she was a victim of sex trafficking near Florida A&M University. The afternoon she went missing, she tweeted that a man assaulted her, having offered to take her to a church.

"He came disguised as a man of God and ended up picking me up from nearby Saxon Street," Salau tweeted, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. "I trusted the holy spirit to keep me safe."

Salau said she had also been sexually assaulted a few days before she'd gone missing and contacted police. Ashley Laurent, a friend of Salau's, said a police officer told them more evidence was needed to pursue an investigation. This has prompted people online to condemn the Tallahassee police for their mistreatment of both McDade and Salau.

Sign a petition to demand justice for Salau here.

Beyoncé Calls for Justice for Breonna Taylor in Letter to Attorney General

Three months later with no justice in sight, Beyoncé calls out the Kentucky authorities for their lack of action.

One of 2020's defining features as an alternate reality is that celebrities are leading the fight for social justice, from Kim Kardashian lobbying for prison reform to Britney Spears being a socialist hero.

On Sunday, Beyoncé posted an open letter to Kentucky's Attorney General Daniel Cameron imploring him to press criminal charges against three police officers involved in the fatal shooting of 26-year-old EMT Breonna Taylor in Louisville.

In the three months since Taylor's death, no actions have been taken. "LMPD's investigations have created more questions than answers," the singer writes. She demands that Cameron create more transparency in the investigation of the incident and prosecute the officers' misconduct, as well as the police force's "pervasive practices that result in the repeated deaths of unarmed Black citizens."

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Inside Chaz, Seattle’s Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone

After nine days of standoffs between Seattle Black Lives Matter protesters and the police, at last the cops ceded the area to the revolution.

What is Chaz? Depends on who you ask.

Technically Chaz is the "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone," an area of Seattle that has become a quasi-experiment in what a completely police-free state might look like. After nine days of standoffs between Seattle Black Lives Matter protesters and the police, at last the cops ceded the area to the revolution.

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CULTURE

A Guide to Protesting Safely

Social media is full of resources for protestors, and many are linked below. Stay safe out there.

The Black Lives Matter movement is bringing many people into the world of active protest for the first time. It's also putting people in the face of dangers they may not be prepared for.

The police are using pepper spray, tear gas, and—most of all—fear to intimidate and corral protestors, but the revolution will not be deterred. It's important to prepare as best you can before heading out, so here are a bunch of resources and guides to read before hitting the streets, many of which come from this helpful drive on protestor safety. Read them, memorize them, write the numbers on your arms—and then join the fight.


1. What to Bring

You should bring a bag/backpack, water, a face mask and hand sanitizer, snacks, signs, walking shoes, your ID, and proper clothing to protests. If you think you might be tear gassed, bring an extra pair of clothes in a sealed bag. Consider also bringing earplugs, a pen and paper, and a sharpie to write down important numbers. If you plan on getting arrested, bring a sealed bag with any medication you need. Bring cash and quarters. Make sure your phone is locked with a passcode and that locations and notifications are turned off.


2. What to Wear

Wear clothing that you can run in. Be aware that it may be cold or hot, and you may be stuck in a freezing jail cell or in the hot sun. Layer if possible. Wear comfortable shoes. For women, avoid tampons. Avoid wearing contacts, which tear gas can irritate. Be sure to write numbers of local emergency contacts and lawyers in sharpie on your arm.






3. Don't Go Alone

Choose a partner strategically. Groups should defer to the needs of the most vulnerable members. Be aware of your partners' health conditions beforehand, and have a plan. White people should be prepared to put their bodies on the line between Black and brown allies and the cops.

Respect other protestors' privacy and don't share photos of others' faces.


4. If You Are Pepper Sprayed

Don't panic, and don't rub your face. Leave the area, find some fresh air and pour some water over the affected area.


5. If You Are Tear Gassed

If you are teargassed, the CDC recommends that you remove any clothing with the gas on it. Use soap and water to wash it off your skin.

Some sources recommend bringing a bandana soaked in water, lemon juice or vinegar, which you can hold over your mouth if you are tear gassed.

How to Stay Safe During a Tear Gas Attack - From a US Marine www.youtube.com




READ, DOWNLOAD, AND SHARE this zine on chemical weapons:

Chemical Weapons.pdf




Resources for protestors via Amnesty International



6. Know Your Rights

The ACLU offers detailed information on protestors' rights. Remember, you have the right to protest and assemble. You have the right to film police officers' actions. You have the right to medical assistance.





7. For White Allies at Protests

White allies at protests should be deferring to Black organizers. Avoid starting chants, instigating violence, or engaging with police. Continue doing research and supporting the cause outside of protests.

Read SURJ Sacramento's guide to protest etiquette for white people:



8. If You Are Arrested

If you are arrested, don't resist. Ask for a lawyer right away and demand your right to remain silent. Protect others.




9. For COVID-19 Protection

Carry hand sanitizer and always wear a mask. Try to stay distanced as best you can. Stay home if you have symptoms. Quarantine and get tested after marching if possible.



10. Take care of others

If you have medical training, your expertise is much needed. Here are some definitely-not-comprehensive guides.





10. For aftercare

Protests can be traumatic. Here are some resources on debriefing and healing after actions:


Here are some more comprehensive resources:

To Donald Trump: 5 Ways You're Actually a Flawless Being Doing a Beautiful, Unbelievable Job Right Now

You could resign if you want to, but then who will keep America so GD great?

With Donald Trump making a visit to Bangor, Maine today, the editorial board of the Portland Press Herald issued an op-ed calling for President Trump to resign.

The harshly critical piece entitled "To President Trump: You Should Resign Now" was framed as an open letter to the president and got straight to the point with this opening plea, "We're sorry that you decided to come to Maine, but since you are here, could you do us a favor? Resign."

In recent days even George W. Bush has been critical of President Trump's response to protests, so this new piece quickly became a trending topic on Twitter. Obviously this is another baseless attack from the lying news media—AKA lügenpresse. Considering how delicate our president's ego is—he's our special little guy—we can only hope that Donald Trump didn't see the letter; but just in case he did, it's worth writing another one to lift his spirits. So here's our best attempt—with lots of pictures and flattery to keep him reading:

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