Over the last week, riots all over the United States have emerged in reaction to the death of George Floyd. On May 25, white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes, even after Floyd kept saying he couldn’t breathe. Floyd later died in police custody.

The incident occurred in Minnesota but has resonated all over the country. Floyd’s tragic death is only the latest in a long line of unjust deaths at the hands of police brutality—a systemic issue that disproportionately affects the black community. Black people are three times more likely to be killed by police than white people and were 24% of those killed in 2019 despite being only 13% of the population.

Various figures in the gaming community — from individual people to esports organizations — have stepped up to support #BlackLivesMatter, recognize the riots as the language of the unheard, and stand against systemic racism.

Top streamers like Jacksepticeye, Ninja, Mtashed, and Gothalion have spoken up.

“A riot is the language of the unheard” – Martin Luther King Jr.
These people are not “opportunistic” or “thugs”. They’re tired of your shitty system and normalised racism. How are we STILL debating this stuff in 2020? #BlackLivesMatter

— Jacksepticeye (@Jack_Septic_Eye) May 29, 2020

A black reporter @OmarJimenez gets arrested with valid media credentials while cooperating with police (all filmed live) and George’s murderer is still free tells you all you need to know about America’s problems. I stand with the Black community, and all races. #JusticeForFloyd

— Ninja (@Ninja) May 29, 2020

I don’t care that I “just make gaming videos”. Racism is a plague that needs to be dealt with head on. We need to teach our children, and we need to stop being ok with it: pic.twitter.com/E3Ec11Zcfi

— Mtashed (@MTashed) May 29, 2020

I’ll never have to explain to my son why his life is by default unfair because of the color of his skin, and I cant imagine how impossible that feeling even is. I’m tired of seeing blatant racism and folks act like its not time to speak. We have to do better.

— Gothalion (@Gothalion) May 29, 2020

Designer and Developer Catt Small offered some practical advice and resources.

It’s sweet that you want to humanize people through your art, but maybe draw that art on a sign and/or give $1 to a bail fund like this one: https://t.co/16GHIuWCtY https://t.co/uVTpRNN8W4

— Catt Small (@cattsmall) May 29, 2020

Match me ✨https://t.co/yKvNABlQwu https://t.co/UgQeGKn0Ah https://t.co/AmKdX7xgkT https://t.co/3lihQgX8fr #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/DexxAsIzwF

— Catt Small (@cattsmall) May 30, 2020

Famous personalities like Malik Forté, Gamer President Ace Watkins, Jonathan Larsson, and Marshmello, who hosted the first Fortnite concert, have also tweeted on the events.

The situation in Minneapolis is very similar to something I lived through as a teenager. I remember protesting as it was the same neighborhood as my school. And like this situation, it started with peaceful protest and was escalated by the policehttps://t.co/3HqWZWxlPG

— Malik Forté ? (@Malik4Play) May 28, 2020

Finally a Riot I support. https://t.co/0XefnkkDm1 pic.twitter.com/tVTpvtvirM

— Ace Watkins (@GamerPres2020) May 29, 2020

#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/4cuaNsTJKI

— Jonathan Larsson (@Reinforce) May 30, 2020

#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/YKtuIxFUcq

— marshmello (@marshmellomusic) May 29, 2020

Black and POC-led gaming organizations you can support:

Here are some black and people of color gaming organizations and communities you can always give your support to.

Spawn On Me, the industry’s definitive podcast that spotlights people of color. You can watch their incredibly important stream regarding this week’s events above.

Black Girl Gamers, an organization dedicated to uplifting the voices of black women in gaming. The organization will have an online summit on June 13.

Black Girls Code, which is dedicated to empowering black girls and girls of color to code and become the tech marketplace builders of today and tomorrow.

I Need Diverse Games, an inclusivity organization dedicated to diversifying the landscape of video games.

Black Girl Nerds, not gaming-specific but nonetheless dedicated to covering pop culture from the perspectives of nerdy black women.

Game Devs of Color Expo, an event (which will be going virtual this September!) organized to highlight POC game developers and provide a forum to learn, connect, and support the community.

The Cookout, a safe space for content creators of color that pushes for inclusivity on all streaming and gaming platforms.

Organizations for the cause that you can donate to:

If you can’t go out to protest, especially in the age of COVID-19, here are some places you can donate to if you have the means. Even a dollar helps.

The Minnesota Freedom Fund has asked that, due to the overwhelming support, donations be made to organizations like:

The official George Floyd Memorial Fund.

The Bail Project.

Black Visions Collective.

Reclaim the Block.

North Star Health Collective.

Louisville Bail Fund.

Brooklyn Bail Fund.

Atlanta Solidarity Fund.

Fund for Black businesses affected during the May 29 protest.

A thread with more funds you can donate to.

…and more resources here. (As noted, Shaun King is not among them.)

Resources to help, including crisis lines:

Here’s a publicly sourced “resources masterlist” for those in need. While not entirely focused on protesting and protecting yourself from police violence, it includes place to reach out if you’re struggling with thoughts of suicide and self-harm, domestic abuse, grief, and really just too many painful things to list off here. Big thanks to Aiden Strawhun for curating this list for a while now.

Other ways to be an ally:

Here are other ways through which you can fight for the cause.

Read a helpful thread. And another one.

Don’t share photos or videos of black bodies being brutalized, or of protesters so that they are not easily identified by law enforcement.

Text FLOYD to 55156 and sign the petition.

Use this incredible and long Google document with links to various petitions, even more funds you can donate to, ways to educate yourself on supporting protesters (or supporting yourself as one with this medic guide), and more.

Use your platform to speak out. Educate your racist family members and friends. Protest safely. Stand against racism and injustice.

We hope that one day, there is justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Philando Castile, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, and every black person whose life has been robbed by the police, caught on film and otherwise.

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Black and POC-led gaming organizations you can support:

Organizations for the cause that you can donate to:

Resources to help, including crisis lines:

Other ways to be an ally:

After George Floyd, Many in the Gaming Community Say #BlackLivesMatter

A sign that change is happening slowly but surely.

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