Mission: Citizen wholeheartedly stands with the Black community, at this moment in time and all others. We honor the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and George Floyd. We acknowledge that these four lives were taken, while also understanding that they are not the first. Countless other Black people have been stolen from their communities, both in the past and present, as a consequence of racism and anti-Blackness. As an organization that supports immigrants, we are inextricably connected to movements fighting the inequities that Black people face, globally and in our own city. We believe that everyone, regardless of race, deserves the opportunity to thrive, nevermind the ability to live in this country without fear of being killed by the people who claim to protect us.
We also understand the intersectional nature of the Movement for Black Lives, and we want to make it clear that we stand behind ALL Black people, understanding how various identities will impact their experiences - gender, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, religion, and documentation status included. Mission: Citizen aims to support Portland’s immigrant community, and we acknowledge the unique cultural and institutional barriers Black immigrants in particular face at the intersection of their racial and immigrant identities. To our Black community members, we see you, we will listen to you, and we love you. For our non-Black community members, we encourage you to act on that compassion by showing up authentically in some of the following ways:
Sign these petitions to demand justice
If financially possible, donate to these organizations
NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) - The LDF aims to promote racial justice through providing legal help, education, and advocacy. The LDF attempts to uphold and protect civil rights provisions won in the past 75 years and promote improvements to current standards and guidelines set up. Specifically, the fund focuses on criminal justice, economic justice, racial equity in education, and political participation.
Black Lives Matter - An intersectional organization founded by Black, queer women in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. In addition to combatting police brutality, BLM fights white supremacy in all forms. They are an intersectional organization, supporting ALL Black people and center the most marginalized people in their movement.
The Loveland Foundation - An organization led by Rachel Cargle, The Loveland Foundation provides healing and consequently, opportunity to communities of color, and particularly Black women and girls. Their Therapy Fund is integral to their mission, as they believe mental health services will provide intergenerational empowerment to the communities they serve.
Call these numbers to pressure local officials to hold the officers accountable for police brutality and taking innocent Black lives
Ahmaud Arbery - 770-800-0689
Breonna Taylor - While the FBI has opened an investigation into the murder of Breonna Taylor, the mayor of Louisville has yet to fire the officers involved. Call Mayor Greg Fischer to demand he do so now at 844-298-2731.
Tony McDade - While we could not find a phone number to dial for Tony McDade, you can automatically send emails to various Tallahassee officials through this form. Text “Tony McDade” to 484848 to demand the arrests of the officers involved and release of body camera footage from the night he died. Let us know if you find a relevant phone number.
George Floyd - 612-324-4499
If financially possible, support local Black-owned businesses
Here is a list to several Black-owned restaurants in the Portland area.
In addition to these concrete action items, we would encourage our non-Black supporters to engage in self-reflection regarding how they can better fight their own internalized biases and leverage their privilege in support of Black people. Having honest conversations with your loved ones is a great way to get started.
Reach out to us through email or social media if you have other suggestions regarding how to get involved. Justice would look like these Black community members still being alive. At this point, showing up for them now in some of the listed ways is the least we can do. Thank you all for your support, and let us know if we at M:C can be supporting you in other ways.