Defend elections (then keep engaging in community justice work)
Now is the time prevent voter intimidation and authoritarian disinformation about the upcoming election. We need to counter rumors about mail-in votes being fraudulent and support in-person voters to have a smooth experience. The Movement for Black Lives and Showing Up for Racial Justice are part of a united front effort with hundreds of other mass-member organizations to ensure free and fair elections, and support voter turnout. Protecting the rights of people to vote in-person on November 3rd means thousands of people signing on for different roles. Please commit to one of the calls to action below.
Speak up about “blue lives”
This matters because intent is different than impact. If somone accidentally steps on your foot, you have the problem of being in pain, even though the intent had nothing to do with causing pain. If someone purposefully steps on your foot, you have the pain and the problem that someone is trying to hurt you and will likely try to do it again.
In general: when we are told that we’ve caused harm, it can be very helpful to know that the person talking is probably not paying much attention to your intent, but is speaking the the harm they are experiencing. If we can listen to what’s happening to them, instead getting defensive, everyone could be better off.
This also means that, when we’re telling someone about harm they are causing, it can be strategically helpful (though not always our option) to find a way to affirm their intent, so that they are less focused on being defensive, and more able to listen, and more likely to change their behavior in the ways we want to see.
In specific: though there are flagrant exceptions, many people who use a “blue lives” flag in our community are ignorant of its history, and use it with intent to support family or friends and their concept of service, seeing any push back as against their loved ones. In a time where the president is active inviting division that feeds racism, it is the role of while folks to approach the people and groups who use this flag and call them into alignment with WHOLE community values. It’s easy to imagine wanting to support people you care about. Affirm that as a principle. But, then, let them know that it doesn’t read “merely” as showing support for police officers who may be family, but is used by groups and individuals who are explicitly involved in white power. Invite them to another way of thinking about it. Make the contact so that BIPOC folks don’t have to.
Until we are all free,
CU-SURJ Newsletter Team
Calls to Action
See more options on our Calls to Action page
Election Defense
Election Defenders will be working to provide safe supports for voting (such as PPE and water), and election and voter defense, de-escalating right-wing intimidation tactics and signaling to a network of groups and lawyers if and where trouble breaks out.
- Sign up to be an Election Defender through SURJ and Action Network Note: if you can’t do all the aspects, still sign up. They will connect you with other folks in the area who will accomplish it together.
- Get trained as an Election Defender through M4BL and Frontline
- Make a plan to vote in Champaign County. Email/text your friends and help them do the same.
- Share this guide about mail-in voting
Tell Rodney Davis you don’t want more police funding
Rodney Davis has introduced legislation to hire more police officers and raise salaries. Police are often called for jobs they are not trained for (mental health crises, domestic violence, neighbor disputes). Couldn’t that money be used for community programs that address those issues? Tell him how you feel. Call 217-403-4690 or send a message: https://rodneydavis.
Show up this week
See more events on the Racial Justice Calendar. P
#endwhitsilence: Turn out the Vote and Defend Fair Elections
October 6th, 6 p.m. Champaign City Building
Stand in front of the Champaign City Building with signs that include #EndWhiteSilence as demonstration of our ongoing commitment to racial justice, and to encourage the public to join in our calls to action.
CU-SURJ Check in Circle (weekly)
October 1st, 4:30 p.m. (and weekly) Online
Register here.
Champaign Listening Sessions on Public Safety
October 3rd, 1 to 3 p.m., October 8th, 1 to 3 p.m., and October 15th, 6 to 8 p.m.
Resources
Local Voices
-
Smile Politely: DREAAM House is bringing hope through action
- News-Gazette: Being Black in America: Shannon McFarland
- Report from the Coalition to End Money Bond: “Protecting Public Health Through Decarceration: Holding Cook County’s Criminal Courts Accountable During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Learn more
- Map your role in the social change ecosystem
-
Read the Black Lives Matter statement
on the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. - Read The Long, Disgraceful History of American Attacks on Brown and Black Women’s Reproductive Systems from The Intercept.
Cultural Work:
Send art/poetry/music submissions to: info@cusurj.org
Anti-Racist Parenting
- Watch: Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News from the Child Mind Institute
- Watch/Listen: Reading of the book Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story about Racial Injustice
- Learn: The ACLU created a workbook for high school-aged students to learn about the organization
We also encourage you to:
- Subscribe to the CU-SURJ newsletter
- Post events and resources, including when you’re taking action on our Community FB Page so others can be inspired and join you.