North Star Fund sends our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives on Saturday, including Heather Heyer, the young woman who stood fearlessly in her solidarity and compassion. We wish a speedy recovery to all those injured by Saturday’s heinous violence, and healing for all those being targeted by white supremacists across the nation at even greater rates since President Trump took the White House.

For those of you who want to support Black-led organizing on the local level from wherever you are, please make a gift to Black Lives Matter Charlottesville.

The events that unfolded on Saturday are not historic. Charlottesville is one of a long history of attacks fueled by white supremacist ideologyideology that has shaped who gets access to what, whether health care, citizenship, economic security, housing, or any of the countless systems that continue to perpetuate inequity and suffering in New York, our nation, and worldwide. Yet, we have faith.

Like the counter protesters in Charlottesville; the Black, Asian, Latino, and indigenous liberation fighters of the last half century; multi-ethnic farmworker movements of the early 1900s; Jewish allies who take a stand in the face of anti-Semitism; and even North Star Fund’s founders —activists forged in the social justice movements of the 60s and 70s—we know that power concedes nothing without a demand.

North Star Fund believes in the power and potential of the community organizing taking place in communities across New York’s five boroughs and the Hudson Valley. By investing in and taking the lead of Black-led and community-led organizing, we are better prepared on the ground to respond to any attack on the dignity and self-determination of poor people, people of color, trans and cisgender women, Jews, immigrants, and queer and transgender people. And, more importantly, together we are shifting culture towards our shared vision.

The violence that unfolded on Saturday was symbolic of the change that is astir. As Black communities are building collective power and reclaiming cities and towns deeply scarred by racism in the South, we can anticipate more attacks on humanity. We urge you to continue to support and amplify the work the grassroots organizations on the ground who are truly forging the way.

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