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Color Of Change helps you do something real about injustice.

We design campaigns powerful enough to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back, and champion solutions that move us all forward. Until justice is real.
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RECENT VICTORIES

  • Criminal Justice

Incarcerated People Fighting Wildfires Finally Eligible for Jobs When They Get Out

For decades, our country has unfairly relied on prison labor — and nowhere is this more obvious than in California, where thousands of people behind bars help fight fires each fall, risking their lives for $1 an hour. In response to a Color Of Change campaign, California Governor Gavin Newsom just signed an order expunging felonies off firefighters’ records. This means that people who fight fires while incarcerated can now join the firefighting ranks and build a real career based on their training and experience once they’re out. It’s high time we end discrimination against formerly incarcerated people, and stop erecting barriers to jobs, housing, and full participation in society. And we will continue our fight to make sure incarcerated firefighters are fully compensated and valued for their work.

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  • Criminal Justice

Rochester’s Police Chief Resigns as Quest for #JusticeforDaniel Continues

Our campaign seeking justice for Daniel Prude, a 41-year-old Black man in need of mental health help who was killed by cops in March is gathering steam. Rochester’s police chief and deputy police chief both resigned after body camera footage was released showing what we all knew: Daniel should be alive today. For a week straight, organizers held protests and 77,000 COC members spoke out demanding the officers be fired, charged, and the city changes how it responds to mental health crises. Daniel’s brother had called police for help, explaining he was a threat to no one but himself. Instead, they brutalized Daniel and knelt on his back ’til he couldn’t breathe. We will not relent. Our quest for justice continues as we press Rochester’s mayor and city council to pass legislation that requires medical professionals — and not armed cops — to respond to medical calls.

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  • Tech Justice

Twitter Cracks Down on Right-Wing Media Pundit for Glorifying Kenosha Killing

All year Color Of Change has aggressively been pressing tech giants to crack down on hate speech and stop spreading racist calls to violence. Twitter recently put its new policy into practice – deleting a post from Ann Coulter applauding Kyle Rittenhouse for murdering two nonviolent protestors. Twitter has assured us that they won’t tolerate tweets encouraging vigilante violence like we’ve seen in recent months. We will continue to push them to do more to seek out those with millions of followers using their platform to fuel white nationalism and anti-Black violence.

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Color Of Change helps people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 1.7 million members, we move decision makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people, and all people. Until justice is real.

IN THE MEDIA

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September 2, 2020

Seven Years of Toil: Inside Color Of Change’s Fight to Fix Big Tech

Protocol features Color Of Change’s work since 2013 — led by Arisha Hatch, Rashad Robinson and Brandi Collins-Dexter — to hold tech companies accountable for racist propaganda, misinformation, and letting algorithms put sensationalism and profits above people of color. Since George Floyd’s killing and the nation’s reckoning on racial justice and the organization’s role in organizing #StopHateForProfit, a $7B ad boycott, the stakes have gotten higher. Color Of Change has a seat at the table with execs at the big tech companies. But are they ready to take responsibility for their inaction?

  • social list opener
September 1, 2020

‘Not Racist’ Is Not Enough: Putting In The Work To Be Anti-Racist

Color Of Change made NPR’s list of steps you can take to combat racism. Tip #4, “Find local organizations involved in anti-racism efforts – preferably led by people of color – and help uplift their ideas” comes from Color Of Change’s Vice President Arisha Hatch. She says learning to uplift non-white voices – even those who may disagree with you – is important for white people. “Part of being an ally and part of letting go of privilege is, I think, putting yourselves in situations where you may be uncomfortable. You may have a different idea, but…you’re actively working to support organizers and activists who have been thinking about these systemic problems for generations.”

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August 30, 2020

Facebook Initially Failed to Remove a Kenosha Militia Page Despite Complaints

Yet again, Facebook is under fire for letting people incite violence on its platform. The company didn’t respond when users sounded the alarm about a militia group issuing a “call to arms” online before the violence in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which left two people dead. Facebook told users the page didn’t meet its criteria for removal but ended up taking down the page — after armed militias took to the streets. “This crisis of hate-fueled violence requires immediate, drastic action from Facebook and all other platforms on which these groups gather,” says Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson. “Facebook’s superficial policy changes mean nothing when they aren’t enforced.”

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August 29, 2020

‘Enough Is Enough’: After the Shooting of Jacob Blake, Players Demand Action

Four days after a Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer shot Jacob Blake 7 times in the back, the Milwaukee Bucks chose not to take the floor for a playoff game. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson commented, “The team is absolutely right” to demand leaders in Wisconsin “actually prosecute and hold police accountable. At the state and the federal level, we need to end qualified immunity. We actually need to seriously deal with the swollen police budgets and the militarization of police. And that money should be divested and invested in things that we know keep people safe and make communities whole.”

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August 28, 2020

Emmys 2020: Black Performers See Rise but Ballot Is Far From Truly Inclusive

There’s a disparity among nominees of color on the Emmy ballot this year, which reflects a disconnect within the industry at large. Though more Black performers are being nominated, people of color still account for less than 15% of the writers and directors nominated. Color Of Change President Rashad Robinson is quoted on the ways the industry has yet to let non-white people have decision-making power. “We can’t mistake presence for power. Power is the ability to change the rules.”

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August 28, 2020

Kenosha Shooting: Petition Calls For Firing Of Police Officers Who Shot Jacob Blake

BET covers our #JusticeForJake campaign after the announcement from the Wisconsin Department of Justice that the officers involved in the shooting had been placed on administrative leave, not fired or charged. The facts are clear. Jake Blake broke up a fight. He walked away and headed to his car. As he entered his car, an officer grabbed his shirt to hold him in place and shot him 7 times in the back in front of his children.

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Strategic Initiatives

Democracy & Census

Black people have the power to shape our democracy and set the agenda when they speak up and turn out in elections. Through our Black Brunches we have brought together more than 20,000 people across 20 cities—including many new to politics. Going into 2020, we have tremendous opportunities to register new voters, protect voting rights, and make sure our communities are counted and represented in the 2020 Census. We are engaging local leaders and our 1.7M members to help set a progressive agenda around criminal justice reform and boost civic participation in Black communities.

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Winning Justice

No one holds more power in our justice system than prosecutors. They decide who to prosecute, what the charges will be, and routinely make decisions that destroy Black people’s lives. We are ushering in a new era of prosecutor accountability by mobilizing Black communities across the country. Already, we've pushed prosecutors and candidates in a dozen cities make pledges to cut incarceration. We continue to build momentum to end the most unjust, destructive and racist practices in our system from money bail to over-sentencing, over-policing, and sending our children to adult prisons.

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COC Hollywood

TV and film play a profound role in shaping American culture. Yet, when it comes to representation of Black people, culture, and issues, far too much of the content Hollywood produces promotes dangerous misunderstandings that holds back racial justice in the real world. COC Hollywood is our initiative to change the rules in Hollywood by ensuring accurate, diverse, empathetic and human portrayals of Black people onscreen. We consult on film and TV projects, partner with changemakers inside the industry, work to raise standards around hiring and diversity, and elevate Black stories.

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