46-year-old African-American man George Floyd was killed on Monday after being forced to the ground by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and kneed to death. Graphic footage taken by an onlooker shows Floyd calling out for his mother and protesting, “Please I can’t breathe. My stomach hurts. My neck hurts. Everything hurts. They’re going to kill me,” before going silent. Police report they approached Floyd on suspicion of a “forgery in progress.” He died shortly after the violent incident. 

The bystander’s video, which was streamed on Facebook Live and now has over a million views, has resulted in an FBI investigation and the firing of the four officers present: Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J Alexander Kueng. Just this morning, Chauvin was taken into custody and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Floyd’s family, along with social reform initiatives and criminal justice advocates, is demanding that justice be served and that all four of the police officers be charged with murder. Floyd’s family is currently working with civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump, who is also inolved in the two recent, high-profile police brutality cases of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. 

Philonise Floyd, Floyd’s brother, told CNN that the police officers treated his brother “worse than they treat animals.”

“Knowing my brother is to love my brother,” he continues. “They could have tased him; they could have maced him. Instead, they put their knee in his neck and just sat on him and then carried on.”

In the days following the horrific act, thousands of protestors in the Twin Cities marched to the very street corner where the encounter took place and burned down a police precinct amid the chaos. Not only were they met with tear gas and projectiles, but President Trump took to Twitter to voice his anger and threaten violence against protestors, before deploying 500 National Guard troops to the city. 

Now is the time to take action. Below, take a look at a variety of practical steps to get involved in the fight for justice for George Floyd.  

Head to JusticeForBigFloyd.com and sign the petition.

Signing the petition will email Mayor Jacob Frey and DA Michael Freeman demanding that all four officers be arrested and charged for murder, on your behalf. It’s a super petition that emails all offices and individuals involved in the fight for justice.

Text ‘FLOYD’ to 55156 to sign Color of Change’s petition. 

This will link you to Color of Change’s petition, which will send a letter to Mayor Jacob Frey and District Attorney Michael Freeman demanding the arrest and murder charge of the four officers. 

Text ‘JUSTICE’ to 668366 to sign MoveOn’s petition.

This petition demands that all four cops involved in Floyd’s death should be charged with murder and held fully accountable. All you have to do is respond with your US zipcode.

Call District Attorney Michael Freeman.

Call (612) 324-4499 to reach DA Michael Freeman, who has the power to arrest and charge all of the officers, so that justice will be served and all four officers will properly be held accountable for the murder of George Floyd. 

Here’s a sample script you can use when you call:

“Hi, my name is ____ from _____ and I am calling on behalf of George Floyd and the injustice that he faced. I demand that all four officers be arrested because being fired is not enough.”

Donate to George Floyd’s family.

There are several ongoing fundraisers for George Floyd’s family. George’s brother Philonise Floyd organized a fund to fund the funeral and burial, and to support his family as they continue to demand justice: here. Floyd’s sister, Bridgett Floyd, established a fund specifically to support George’s daughter, Gianna: here. 

Donate to organizations bailing out protestors who are being arrested in the fight for justice. 

The Minnesota Freedom Fund is an organization that exists to pay criminal bail and immigration bonds for those who cannot afford them. They’ve been spearheading support for protestor’s bail as they’ve been arrested in the demonstrations demanding justice for Floyd. Donate here.

Donate to Black Lives Matter.

Black Lives Matter is an organization on a mission to bring justice and freedom to black people across the world. You’ll become a “Global Member” by donating $5 to support their efforts. Donate here.