Protests have spread nationwide over George Floyd’s death, an unarmed black man who was killed by a police officer. The former Minneapolis officer was charged for with murder and manslaughter earlier today. Major protests have emerged in Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis, DC, Atlanta, and Houston. As international students abroad, there are many things that you can do in order to raise your voice.
-
Sign petitions. The Justice for George Floyd is the main petition that has garnered over 6 million signatures. There is also another petition on colorofchange.org as well.
-
Contact state and local leaders. While calling may not seem like an option, sending letters are. Send letters to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey or Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz demanding justice, accountability and/or policing changes.
-
Donate. The official George Floyd fund is available on gofundme, and is managed by Floyd’s family. There is also the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Black Lives Matter, Communities United Against Police Brutality, and Minnesota Freedom Fund.
-
Educate. Keeping up with the news and learning more about this issue will not only educate yourself, but also you’ll be able to educate others. Educating the people around you including family and friends is extremely effective in spreading ideas among shared communities.
-
Share. It is extremely important to get out and get your voice heard. Sharing on social platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and others will further highlight what is going on in America right now, and why it’s so important to continue fighting.
There are so many things to do as expats abroad, or even as students of an international community. It’s time to get out and get your voice heard.