From the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery to the police brutality against protestors standing for racial justice, it is atrocious and unjust what is happening in our country. We as EScAN oppose all forms of racism and support the Black Lives Matter movement. EScAN is an inclusive organization, and we will not tolerate the injustices that are being brought against people of color at Emory, in our community, and throughout the country.
However, we understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, which makes it difficult to advocate and demonstrate support in the manner we normally would. Therefore, EScAN would like to provide you several ways to demonstrate your support in the safest and most effective manner possible.
Protesting:
Where to protest: https://twitter.com/WhereProtest
How to protest safely:
Specific protests:
Protest at the Capitol Every Day at 6 pm to #TearDownGordon
There is a statue of John Brown Gordon, former member of the Confederate States Army and deemed a former leader of the KKK, at the Georgia State Capitol here in Atlanta. Protesters are calling for a removal of the statue. There will be protests held daily at 6 pm at the Capitol until the statue is removed. See attached for more information.
Georgia NAACP Capitol Rally for Criminal Justice and Voter Reform (Monday, 6/15/20)
Taking Virtual Action:
Shut Down STEM/Academia (Today, Wednesday 6/10/20)
Beyond the action today, we can and should continue to advocate against racism in the STEM field.
Close the Jail ATL Campaign
Sign the petition! Contact your representatives!
Academics for Black Survival and Wellness, Juneteenth through June 25th
Opportunity to sign in support and participate in a week long initiative
Graduate Student Letter of Support
Contact your representatives
Contacts
Find your representatives here: https://myreps.datamade.us/
Emory and Atlanta Contacts (see attached PDF “blmresources”) and other Atlanta- specific resources
Specific legislation/points
Emory
Prevent police presence on campus
Provide source of protection/free legal aid to those jailed for protests
Local
Close the Detention Center (see above)
State
Federal
Justice in Policing Act 2020 https://judiciary.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3005#:~:text=The%20Justice%20in%20Policing%20Act%20of%202020%3A,profiling%20for%20all%20law%20enforcement
HEROES Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6800/text
Amendment to National Defense Authorization Act to halt transfer of military weaponry to police units https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/500438-democratic-senator-to-offer-amendment-halting-military-weaponry-given-to
Ending Qualified Immunity
Prompts/Scripts/Talking Points
Script to advocate for the HEROES Act. https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/heroesactpetition-congress
Script specific to upcoming Atlanta police budget increase https://defund12.org/atlanta
Petition and contact info for hate crimes law https://www.passhatecrimesga.com/
8toAbolition Talking Points https://www.8toabolition.com/