Help us stop the militarization of our neighborhoods

Standing Together to Stop Cop City [Black Voters Matter logo]( Hi Friend, Standing Together to Stop Cop City Last week, we joined forces with several of our partners including Community Movement Builders, Movement for Black Lives, and New Georgia Project to protest against the construction of “Cop City,” a militarized urban warfare training facility for police officers in Atlanta.  As part of the National Day of Action, we stood in solidarity with our partners to voice our opposition to the development of this facility, which we see as a breach of trust towards the Black community and a direct threat to their safety and well-being.  We marched and made our voices heard to urge Mayor Andre Dickens and the Atlanta City Council to redirect the resources used for this project towards addressing crucial issues that impact the Black community such as healthcare access, housing, food insecurity, and infrastructure.  Our stance on this issue is clear, and we encourage others to stand with us in the fight against the militarization of our neighborhoods.  Check out our recap video and read our full statement on Cop City below. [WATCH THE VIDEO]( [READ OUR FULL STATEMENT](   Help Us Fight to Stop Cop City If constructed, Cop City, a militarized urban warfare training facility for police officers in Atlanta, will directly threaten the safety and well-being on Black communities in Atlanta. [Help us protect our people by contributing what you can today.]( [DONATE NOW](   Check Out The Events We’ve Had This Week Across The Country Georgia Capitol Day Last week we hosted “BVM Day at the Capitol” in Georgia to engage with legislators and raise awareness on several key issues including Medicare expansion, hospital closures, voter suppression, expungement and warrant clinics, environmental justice, and more alongside our Georgia partners.  Thank you to our partners the Helping Others Foundation, Iconic Customs, Protect the Vote, Randolph Concerned Citizens, Kaleidoscope, QC Performing Arts, Ladder Strategies and Solutions, Mt. Zion John Lewis GOTV, FTC Charity, and St Philip AME for joining us to fight for these key issues that impact countless Black communities across Georgia. Mississippi Capitol Day Yesterday, Black Voters Matter hosted a Capitol Day event in Mississippi, focused on fighting for civic engagement, equity, and democracy. Our supporters urged legislators to reject HB1020, an anti-democratic bill that would harm Jackson, Mississippi’s ability to vote in state matters, their resources, and their political power. We encourage all Mississippians to join them in advocating for fairness and democracy in Jackson by telling legislators to say no to HB1020. North Carolina People’s Rally At The Capitol Yesterday, after the North Carolina Supreme Court reheard two crucial voting rights cases, Harper v. Hall and Holmes v. Moore, and a slate of proposed legislative attacks on voting access were proposed, the future of fair, free, and accessible elections was on the line in the Tar Heel State.  But, the People's Coalition, a coalition of pro-democracy advocacy groups from across the state, came together to sound the alarm about the attacks against voting rights happening in the state by holding a People's Rally at the Capitol. We are proud to have had the opportunity to stand with our partners at the rally yesterday to fight to protect voting rights in North Carolina.   Celebrating Women’s History Month Audre Lorde was a writer, poet, and feminist who fearlessly used her art to tell stories that highlighted the intersectionality of race, class, gender, and sexuality. Lorde's work paved the way for future generations of women to embrace their identities and empower themselves.  Lorde's writing was deeply personal and often drew from her experiences as a Black lesbian woman. Her work challenged the dominant narratives of her time and shed light on the experiences of marginalized communities. In 1984, she famously declared, "I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own."  Today, Audre Lorde's legacy lives on as her writing continues to inspire and empower women of all backgrounds. Her work reminds us of the power of storytelling to challenge oppressive systems and promote social justice. Let us remember the incredible contributions of Audre Lorde and the many other Black women who have used their voices to change the world.   Volunteer Opportunities The fight continues for African American Studies to be a staple in our educational institutions! Join us for our next postcard party tomorrow at 6pm ET where we will talk about what we can do now and how we can encourage others to join the fight to protect our history. Click below to register! [REGISTER NOW](   JOIN THE MOVEMENT [Support voter engagement and capacity-building through our 501c3]( [Support voter mobilization and political advocacy through our 501c4]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Tumblr]( [Black Voters Matter logo]( Black Voters Matter Fund is dedicated to expanding Black voter engagement and increasing progressive power through movement-building and engagement. Working with grassroots organizations, specifically in key states in the South, BVMF seeks to increase voter registration and turnout, advocate for policies to expand voting rights/access, and help develop infrastructure where little or none exists to support a power-building movement that keeps Black voters and their issues at the forefront of our election process. For more information, please visit our [website](. Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Black Voters Matter Fund, please [click here](.