Friends have long struggled with the many forms of racism in our meetings and our communities. Now, with numerous videos of violence directed toward black people, in particular, circulating the web and the tv news, it has the country’s attention like never before. Some Friends at New Garden have expressed a desire to write letters in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign but would like a template to follow.

Bobby Trice, with Friends Committee on National Legislature (FCNL), has constructed just such a letter template, to be personalized and used in an email and/or phone call to members of Congress. From Bobby’s letter: “FCNL seeks a world free of war and the threat of war—and the war on Black bodies in the United States. We seek a society with equity and justice for all, knowing justice as part and parcel of peace. Those of us who are white must come off the sidelines. We must fully acknowledge the realities of systemic racism, police violence, and rising militarism that our Black siblings, colleagues, and Friends have known and experienced for centuries. Sharing your powerful Quaker ministry on police demilitarization and reform with your members of Congress is one way to bring your witness to the fore.” Friends Committee on National Legislation has many other current issues with prompts for letter writing on its website, also.

Call Script

Hello, I am calling for Representative/Senator _____________________. I am a resident in [city, state] in district [number].
I am deeply concerned by the death of George Floyd, and so many Black Americans at the hands of the police. Our country
and our community needs police reform now.
(My story)
The Justice in Policing Act, which is before both the House and Senate, would ban the use of choke holds, institute a national
“necessary” use of force standard, end the militarization of civilian police departments, and implement other badly
needed police reforms. It won’t solve all our problems, but it would represent a crucial step forward.
Please support this bill to advance racial justice and address the crisis of racist police violence in our country.

Letter/Email Template

Dear______________________________
Please take swift action in response to ongoing fatal police killings and other violence against Black people across our country.
The Justice in Policing Act, which is before both chambers, would be a crucial step forward. The bill would:
– Ban the use of choke holds – Institute a national “necessary” use of force standard
– End the militarization of civilian police departments – Implement other badly need police reforms
(My story)
I urge you to co-sponsor this bill. We can’t wait any longer. We must stand together against racial injustice and work with all
levels of government to build systems that repair the damage caused by broken policies and create a new system based on
equality.
Sincerely,
(Name, Physical Address, Phone, Email)