Dear GWAN community,

GWAN stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement’s fight for justice and the protests against police brutality. The historical, systematic legacy of racism has taken the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and many others.

Here are some ways we are responding and you can too. Please consider donating to Black Lives Matter, community bail funds, or other organizations dedicated to fighting injustice and racism. If you are unable to contribute financially please consider calling for change by signing petitions, including the one from Northwestern student organizations below. Here are some resources for allies to learn about these issues. We also recognize that this may be a painful and traumatic time for many, and hope you are finding the time, space, and support that you need to process and heal. Here are some resources that may help: 24/7 crisis text hotline and list of Black mental health resources.

Petition for Black Student Investment, Police Divestment

For Members Only, the Black Graduate Student Association, and CoalitionNU sent the letter to the administration around 3 pm today. The letter will continue to accept signatories from organizations, departments, and individuals on an ongoing basis. Letter writers encourage students, faculty, and staff to consider adding their signatures. Please take a moment to review and add your signature.

Please share this link and amplify Black student leaders on social media: bit.ly/nucommunitynotcops

#ShutDownAcademia

Black academics and professionals are hurting because they exist in and are attacked by institutional and systemic racism. Black people have been tirelessly working for change, alongside their Indigenous and People of Color allies. For Black academics, #ShutDownAcademia is a time to prioritize their needs— whether that is to rest, reflect, or to act— without incurring additional cumulative disadvantage. Tomorrow on Wednesday June 10, we encourage you to join Shut Down Academia, and avoid participating in meetings, classes, messages, and research related to your graduate work. Instead, use this day to support and encourage the Black lives within academia and our society.