Demonstrating with Dollars

Where You Can Donate to Support Seattle's George Floyd Protesters

Because your Facebook share really isn't going far enough.

By Seattle Met Staff June 2, 2020

Even if you can't join protesters on the street, you can still help their cause.

Image: Jana Early

By now you've (hopefully) seen a fair amount of self-reflection, anger, and calls to action come across your social media feeds in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing. Perhaps you've even typed some of your own thoughts in one of those "see more" posts. But whether you're a social justice veteran or just joining the cause, scrolling and sharing simply won't accomplish enough to effect change—at least not the reversal of racial prejudice and reforms to the criminal justice system sought after yet another instance of police brutality. Beyond joining protesters at rallies and marches, here's a handful of organizations and efforts that could use your dollars to support related missions, as well as one that just needs your signature.

Not This Time!

Andrè Taylor formed this Seattle-based nonprofit after a pair of city police officers fatally shot his brother, Che, in 2016. Two years later, Not This Time! successfully backed Initiative 940, which removed the "malice" standard previously needed to charge Washington law enforcers with violent crimes. The organization continues to demand police reform in Seattle and beyond.

Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County Freedom Fund

This branch of the global justice group has started a bail fund for those protesting in memory of Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Manuel Ellis. The organizers say that during a time when people feel a need to be in the streets, "Black, Indigenous, and people of color are going to be disproportionately arrested and held on bail. Cash bail is an inhumane system built to unfairly limit the freedom of those without financial/class privilege."

Northwest Community Bail Fund

Working in King and Snohomish counties, this organization aims to provide cash bail to impoverished people accused of "low-level" crimes. That is, until money bail is abolished, if NCBF has its say. In the meantime, it will continue to help defendants navigate the pretrial period with the goal of "reducing the pressure to plead guilty."

National Bail Out

This Black-led, Black-centered collective is a community-based movement working to "end systems of pretrial detention and ultimately mass incarceration." Its ActBlue charity raises money to post bail and provide other resources for those facing the justice system. To simultaneously donate to 39 community bail funds, including NCBF, supported by the collective, you can click here.

Funds for Victims' Families

Lives unjustly lost prompted the protests in Seattle and other cities across the country. George Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer held his knee against Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes. Ahmaud Arbery was fatally shot by two Georgia men during a jog. Breonna Taylor was fired upon by law enforcement in her own home. Crowdfunding initiatives have sprung up to support the families of Floyd and Arbery as they bear the burden of mourning their loved ones' deaths and fighting for justice. Locals may also consider campaigns for Said Joquin, a Tacoma man fatally shot by Lakewood police during a traffic stop, and Manuel Ellis, who died after a confrontation with police in Tacoma.

Justice for George Floyd Petition

If money is tight, you can show your support by signing a petition, such as this Change.org one. Its organizers aim to bring all of the officers involved in Floyd's death to justice.

Share
Show Comments