Dear Community,

Yesterday, Freedom, Inc., Urban Tirage Inc., and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) united for an action to demand an end to racist police terror. We gathered thousands of community members to stand in solidarity with Minnesota and demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Tony Robinson, and all slain Black people throughout the African diaspora. We demanded, and will continue to demand: defund the police, reparations for all Black people, release all incarcerated Black people from jail, get cops out of schools, and community control over the police.

Five years ago, when we protested for Tony Robinson, these same acts were not considered peaceful. We marched, we chanted, and we stood on the Capitol steps. We chained ourselves to the doors of the jail, in demonstration of our rage, of our hurt, and our pain. We were called thugs and violent antagonizers-- leading to the arrest of several Black leaders and demonstrators. Now, the antiblack media, elected officials, and some community leaders are using the events of last night to divide our community; to criminalize Black youth while holding us as the example of a “peaceful'' protest. This is indicative of the insidious nature of white supremacist patriarchal capitalism; changing the narrative as a matter of convenience to separate, divide and conquer, while avoiding accountability for the violence bestowed upon Black bodies at the hands of the State. Please recognize that this is one of the many ways white supremacist patriarchal capitalism is perpetuated by progressive liberal cities like Madison, WI.

Do not use the names of Freedom, Inc., Urban Triage Inc., and the Party for Socialism and Liberation in vain. Do not use us to perpetuate white liberal agendas and narratives around peace. Peace comes when we end poverty and capitalism. Peace comes when we end violence of ALL forms against Black women, girls, boys, men and LGBTQ+ folx. Peace comes when our children can be academically fulfilled. Peace comes when cops are out of schools. Peace comes when the jails are empty. Peace comes when we get justice for Tony Robinson, Genele Laird, George Floyd, and countless others around the world who have suffered at the hands of the police. Peace comes when you take your knees off of our necks. Peace comes when Black voices, lives, pain and trauma is the center of all policies and discourse. Peace comes when white supremacist patriarchal capitalism is no more.

We echo the powerful words of Assata Shakur: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” Our organizations will not denounce any Black person's display of grief and/or rage. All actions against racist state violence are justified and we will not minimize these contributions to liberation. Please lend support by donating to the Free the 350 Bail Fund to provide support to Black folks who have been arrested https://bit.ly/3dnn6uY. Please also sign the Movement for Black Lives Petition https://m4bl.org and follow our organizations on social media for updates on actions and events.

Love and Power,

Freedom, Inc. @AboutFreedominc
Urban Triage Inc. www.urbantriage.org
Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) @pslweb