Mainstream media may not be at the forefront of standing up for the Ferguson community in need, but Talib Kweli is setting out to change that as he allocates funds to help support local protestors.
The Action Support Committee, organized by Kweli, was able to raise over $112,000 through the crowd-funding website Indiegogo. The campaign was launched on Oct. 19 and exceeded its initial goal of $25,000 for activists who have been conducting peaceful protests for over 60 days with heavy resistance by police.
“These are young men and women who have put their lives on hold to stand up for all of our freedoms,” said Kweli in a statement according to The Huffington Post. “The overly militarized police force in Ferguson has attempted to criminalize them by harassing and throwing them in jail for exercising their right to peaceful protest. We hope these funds help to empower.”
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According to a press release, Kweli began his first phase of grants on Feb. 13. A total of $48,800 was distributed to programs and organizations such as Jail & Bail Fund, Artists as Tutors, Revolutionary Reading Program: Freedom Fighters and tech Impact Initiative.
The remaining funds will be used on the ASC’s Revolution School, which will provide training, workshops and technical assistance for local organizers, and grants for programs committed to keeping the recent momentum of social justice organizing. The committee will have an application process available during the next round of grants late Spring 2015. –– Yvette Brown