Now is the time to stand up in our own community to grieve the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police and the too many other men and women of color who have died at the hands of racial violence. Greater Palatine Area Democrats will be holding a silent rally THIS SATURDAY, June 6, from 3-5 p.m., at Pioneer Park, on the north side of the intersection of N. Hicks and U.S. Route 14, in Palatine. Bring a mask, your own water bottle, and a sign. Social distancing will be strictly enforced--including silent protest. Sign up here to let us know you will be standing with us that day.

We Democrats and Progressives in GPAD grieve over the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the too many men and women who have been murdered in racial violence. Months of fear and disease, 40 million unemployed, an incompetent president and federal response, and centuries of mistreatment of Black people and people of color have fueled the protests that erupted across the country, in Chicago, and even in our suburbs in the last week.

We can help our community and society move toward Equality and Justice for every person. We must do more than vote and post on social media. Here is how you can help:

Partners for Our Communities (POC) rallies the resources of municipalties, schools, churches, libraries and individuals, along with Northwest Community Hospital, to help families in Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Hoffman Estates. They had to cancel their annual May fundraiser. They are sharing resources that help with food, housing, renter's rights, utilities, unemployment, internet access and mental health to strengthen families. 

All Saints Food Pantry runs the weekly Food Pantry at POC, and its client list multiplied to six times its usual number. A financial donation to All Saints Food Pantry allows the pantry to purchase greater quantities from the Greater Chicago Food Depository.  You can mail a check (with "food pantry" in the memo line) to All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Rd., Palatine, 60067.

Greater Chicago Food Depository -- this is Chicago's Food Bank. A donation here will go far in helping our region, especially after the destruction of small, locally owned stores over the weekend.

Black Lives Matter

NAACP

Campaign Zero-- a comprehensive platform of research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America

Color of Change -- online racial justice organization that seeks to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back and champions solutions that will move us all forward until justice is real.

Chicago Community Bond Fund -- funds go to pay bail for those accused of crime in Cook County and who cannot afford to pay bail.

Assata's Daughters -- Black woman-led, young person-directed organization that gives young Black people in Chicago leadership development and mentoring

Circles & Ciphers -- hip-hop infused, art-based restorative justice organization led by and for young people impacted by violence

Chicago Torture Justice Center -- addresses traumas of police violence and institutional racism through access to healing and wellness services 

Greater Palatine Area Democrats will be traveling on June 7 to Buffalo Grove, to participate in the BG Pride Drive 2020! Instead of a BG Pride Parade, the organizers have shifted gears to a BG Pride Drive. And GPAD, with Maggie Trevor's Campaign and NWSOFA-Indivisible, have been paired with a lovely family who will let us decorate their front yard! More than 90 (and counting!) Buffalo Grove families have signed up to decorate their front yards and be part of the BG Pride Drive. Come on out for a lovely Sunday drive, tour the lovely houses, and guess which one is the GPAD-Trevor-NWSOFA-Indivisible yard! To get the route, sign up here. We will email you the route before June 7. (Rain date of June 14)