As people continue to take to the streets to protest the wrongful killing of George Floyd, celebrities are using their platform and resources to help bail out protestors in Minnesota and across the country.
What We Know:
- On Saturday, Chrissy Teigen shared on Twitter that “in celebration of whatever the f-ck maga night is, I am committed to donating $100,000 to the bail outs of protestors across the country.” Shortly after Teigen committed to donating $200,000.
In celebration of whatever the fuck maga night is, I am committed to donating $100,000 to the bail outs of protestors across the country.
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) May 30, 2020
Ooo they might need more money then. Make it $200,000 https://t.co/axuJnazJkU
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) May 30, 2020
- Teigen’s remarks were made in response to Donald Trump tweeting about protestors outside of the White House. “The professionally managed so-called ‘protestors’ at the White House had little to do with the memory of George Floyd,” he wrote. “They were just there to cause trouble. The @SecretService handled them easily. Tonight, I understand, is MAGA NIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE???”
The professionally managed so-called “protesters” at the White House had little to do with the memory of George Floyd. They were just there to cause trouble. The @SecretService handled them easily. Tonight, I understand, is MAGA NIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE???
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
- Other celebrities on social media have continuously shared and urged their followers to donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund – a nonprofit that helps pay bail for individuals who don’t have the financial means to do so.
- In another Twitter chain, rapper Noname shared that she donated $1,000 to the Minnesota Freedom Fun on Thursday. The rapper was matched by actress Janelle Monae. Kehlani also matched Noname’s donation and gave $1,000 to bail out protestors.
“Anything to make it seem like protestors have forgotten what they are fighting for. Pushing for a CIVIL WAR. This is backed up with facts from nearly EVERY MAJOR MOVEMENT in our lifetime. Stay out of Black people comments with the accusatory trash. Wake the f-ck up and stop coddling EVIL. This is the world we have always lived in.” – Kehlani
https://twitter.com/Kehlani/status/1266104770751684608
- An official memorial fund for Floyd has also been shared on GoFundMe, which was set up by his sister Philonise Floyd. The memorial fund has raised over $7,695,580 of their $1,500,000 goal.
- You also can split a donation across 37 nationwide bail funds, or donate to any of the 60+ funds that make up the National Bail Fund Network.
If you are looking for ways to speak out against Floyd’s death, help his family, or get educated on the history of systemic racism and police violence in the United States, consider:
- Donating to the memorial fund George Floyd’s family has set up. The GoFundMe page also includes an address where anyone can send cards or contributions.
- Supporting organizations working on the ground in Minneapolis, including the Minnesota Freedom Fund, which pays bail for low-income individuals; Black Visions Collective, which works to organize black communities in Minnesota; Reclaim the Block, which works to move money from the police department into other parts of the city that promote health and safety; and the North Star Health Collective, which provides health care services and resources to protestors.
- Helping protestors with legal fees and bail-out funds and supporting organizations including the Know Your Rights Camp founded by Colin Kaepernick, the Brooklyn Bail Fund, the Bail Project, the National Bail Fund Network, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the ACLU, the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, and Free Them All for Public Health
- Contacting the Minneapolis mayor and Hennepin County attorney at 612-673-2100 and 612-348-5550, respectively. You can also email the attorney at citizeninfo@hennepin.us, or contact the Minneapolis police department at police@minneapolismn.gov.
- Signing a petition to demand the police officers involved are charged.
