The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has sparked widespread unrest, both peaceful and riotous. Amid the global uprising, which began on May 26, several businesses have been a casualty of protestors’ war against police brutality, including Black-owned stores.
Thousands of people have made their way to the streets for justice, to call for defunding the police, and to spread awareness of other Black bodies that have been executed via state-sanctioned murders, particularly Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Windows have been shattered, vehicles have been burned and property damage is done.
Additionally, some Black businesses have suffered economically due to mandatory curfews.
As activists continue to organize, strategize and mobilize on the ground, donate to or simply #BuyBlack at any of these Black businesses.
Pure Oasis
This Boston cannabis retailer, the state’s first and only Black-run cannabis retailer, was hit by looters. According to The Boston Globe, the robbers deliberately targeted the shop at the time of a peaceful protest which was miles away. Co-owner Kobie Evans, whose company employs people with prior drug convictions, stands in solidarity with protestors seeking justice and draws no “connection between what happened to us and people protesting for a good cause.”
Shoe Mountain
Owned by Kareef Johnston, Shoe Mountain is a Black-owned retailer located in Tampa Bay since 2004. On May 30, roughly 50 people destroyed the store, snatching high-end sneakers, designer clothes, and more, reports WFLA. To rebuild, Johnston has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser.
“I don’t even want to relate what happened to protesting,” said Johnston, who often gives back to the minority community. “I feel like people take these moments to come up with their own mission on what they want to do and attach it to the protest when it’s two separate things I believe.”
Trio Plant-Based
A victim of the justice system himself, Louis Hunter established Trio Plant-Based, a 100 percent vegan soul food restaurant, to help create numerous job opportunities for Black people and provide employees with a living wage. According to The Beet, Hunter closed shop to safeguard his business during protests and offered the brick-and-mortar as a refuge to journalists.
You can help him rebuild financially here.
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For more businesses to donate to, visit this Twitter thread.