Presented at Moment for Community Dialogue and Action: Coming Together Across Difference to Make Change

August 21, 2013

National Economic Black Out – Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Justice for Trayvon Martin, Los Angeles asks for all people to join in solidarity on August 28 and withhold all purchases that day. We ask that no purchases which contribute or support the domestic economy be made on this day to protest racial and social injustice in the U.S. legal system.

Register your participation and spread the word: www.facebook.com/J4tmla

For more information, contact:

Camille R. Quinones Miller, (215) 275-8525

Sharlia Kimberly LeBreton-Gulley, (209) 345-8474, ashe.revolution@gmail.com

Open a Civil Rights Case Against George Zimmerman

Sign the petition from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to the Department of Justice Today.

“The most fundamental of civil rights – the right to life – was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin. We ask that the Department of Justice file civil rights charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation.

Please address the travesties of the tragic death of Trayvon Martin by acting today.”

To sign the petition, go to: www.naacp.org/page/s/doj-civil-rights-petition

Support the “End Racial Profiling Act”

We need this important legislation which takes concrete steps to put an end to the insidious practice of racial profiling by law enforcement at all levels.

Make a phone call, write a letter, send a fax, or send an email to you Senators and Representative! Make sure to take a copy of the act at the resources table.

For more information online, go to: www.naacp.org

Take Action to End the Epidemic of Gun Violence!

We must change the cultural norms around gun violence so that the default setting is to prioritize the safety of our young people. Gun violence is an epidemic.

Sign an online petition. Show our legislators your support.

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence: www.wearebetterthanthis.org

Mayors Against Illegal Guns: www.demandaplan.org

Americans for Responsible Solutions: http://action.americansforresponsiblesolutions.org/page/s/tell-congress

Within Our Lifetime: Take Action to End Racism

We invite you to connect with others in your region who are committed to Racial Healing and Racial Equity. If we are going to end racism within our lifetime, all of us working towards that goal need to be as connected as possible. So, we hope to see you on one of these calls!

To RSVP for the California call, go to: www.withinourlifetime.net/TakeAction/index.html

For more information on the National Network for Racial Equity and Healing, contact:

1 (408) NETWORK, network@withinourlifetime.net

Self-lead initiatives you can create or join:

Resources and Statements

Many organizations and individuals have created resources and statements to help articulate the issues. These statements and resources have been used to show solidarity while sharing knowledge and impact. Sharing resources and statements or creating your own can help to continue raising awareness about racial injustice.

Create and Engage in Community Dialogues

Community Coalition initiated a dialogue themed, “Our Sons Matter,” this space was created for community members to discuss reactions to the Trayvon verdict and develop next steps to move forward together. These dialogue and action spaces can be healing and transformative spaces for community members to connect and to work together towards change.

Bring these conversations to your work place

            Asian Americans Advancing Justice| Los Angeles’ staff members initiated and organized a brown bag to allow staff time and space to process their reflections on the Zimmerman verdict as well as think through potential ways the organization could respond and engage these struggles that community members are facing. Staffs were able to hear and support each other while considering the resources of their organization and how those resources could be used to create change.

Collaboration

Several organizations came together for a Moment for Community Dialogue and Action to ensure that diverse communities were engaging and taking action around racial injustice. Working in collaboration and building space that create long-term solidarity, expands our ability to make change while making sure that multiple experiences and voices are accounted for in our solutions.