AceMo, Kush Jones, Scratcha DVA share donation-matching fundraising initiative following George Floyd's death
George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis police custody Monday night, leading to protests in the city and international social media fundraising drives—here's where you can donate.
by Marissa Cetin![https://www.residentadvisor.net/images/news/2020/george-floyd-minnesota-freedom-fun-donation-drive.jpg https://www.residentadvisor.net/images/news/2020/george-floyd-minnesota-freedom-fun-donation-drive.jpg](https://www.residentadvisor.net/images/news/2020/george-floyd-minnesota-freedom-fun-donation-drive.jpg)
A number of American and international dance music artists are encouraging donations following George Floyd's death.
George Floyd, aged 46, was killed in Minneapolis police custody Monday night after he was violently arrested. Video of the arrest, which shows white police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for at least eight minutes as he says, "I cannot breathe," was uploaded to Facebook on Tuesday and caused local and international outrage as it was shared across social media. The four officers involved in the arrest were fired, and none have been arrested or charged for Floyd's death (Update: Former officer Chauvin was arrested on Friday morning local time). The FBI is now investigating Floyd's death.
Thousands of protestors have turned out for two nights of demonstrations in Minneapolis calling for justice for Floyd and an end to police brutality. Many protestors have been arrested, and a reported five were shot—one fatally (the shooter has been arrested).
Across social media, people are encouraging others to match their donations to help George Floyd's family, the protestors and local groups that help the black community. Artists including AceMo, Kush Jones, Archangel, Scratcha DVA, Dee Diggs, Ash Lauryn, Mike Servito, Ilana Byrne, 8ULENTINA, Ben UFO, FAUZIA, Anz, Shy One, Loraine James, DEBONAIR and more have been using their platforms to urge more people to donate, sign relevant petitions and challenge police brutality and systemic racism.
Here's where you can donate and sign.
• Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
• Minnesota Freedom Fund (Pays bail for arrested protestors)
• #JusticeForFloyd (Petition by Color Of Change)
• Black Visions Collective (Black, queer and trans-led Minnesota organization that aims to connect communities and dismantle systems of oppression)
• Reclaim The Block (Minneapolis coalition calling for investment in black communities and divestment from policing)
• MPD150 (Minneapolis initiative working towards a police-free city)
• Black Lives Matter
George Floyd grew up in Houston, where he was a member of hip-hop collective Screwed Up Click, led by the late DJ Screw, in the '90s. He was known as "Big Floyd" and featured on some of DJ Screw's tracks. Floyd was also a member of Houston group Presidential Playas and appeared on their 2000 album Block Party.
Listen to Floyd freestyle on DJ Screw's "Sittin On Top Of The World," and find more of Floyd's tracks via Billboard.
Here are more artists participating in the fundraising-matching drive.
Did we miss a relevant petition or organization in this story? Please let us know at community@residentadvisor.net so we can include it.