Black Lives Matter

Dear Circus Center Community,

The news in recent weeks brought both moments of hope and continued horror. We honor two Bay Area residents who lost their lives this month at the hands of the police: Sean Monterrosa, age 22, and Erik Salgado, age 23. And just this weekend, another police killing, this time in Atlanta, took a life: Rayshard Brooks. Our hearts break for their families, friends, loved ones, and communities. We cannot silently wait and hope that justice will be served. We must demand justice for Sean, Erik, Rayshard, and the countless others whom we’ve lost at the hands of state-sanctioned violence.

We are proud to see so many students, teachers, and staff attend or support Black Lives Matter protests. We stand with you. Circus Center wants to encourage all students to engage as activists in this historic moment.

We understand that many are facing unemployment and financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. At the same time, we see that taking classes at Circus Center has become an important part of your self-care during this difficult time. We believe that fighting for justice is not optional, and we don't want you to have to choose.

So, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, Circus Center is offering students who donate to a movement-affiliated organization a matching dollar amount (up to $100) discount off of Online Classes or Summer Camp enrollments. This promotion is valid for any donations made from May 25 through June 19 (Juneteenth). Please forward your donation receipt to blm@circuscenter.org and let us know what services you’d like your discount to be applied to.

EMAIL US YOUR DONATION RECEIPT

OPTIONS FOR DONATIONS

Systemic oppression must be dismantled on all levels - this is why we recommend students make donations to initiatives of any scale, from national organizations to local operations. We request students opt to donate to efforts that provide services related to:

Food, water, and medical supplies for protestors
COVID-19 relief supplies for the unhoused
Mental health resources for Black people
Support for Trans or Queer Black people
Education and scholarship programs for Black students
Rebuilding Black-owned businesses
Registering voters
Bail/bond funds
Legal defense funds
Memorial funds

Some examples include, but are not limited to:

National
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Black Lives Matter
The Loveland Foundation
National Bail Out
Innocence Project
Know Your Rights Camp
Committee to Protect Journalists

Bay Area
People's Breakfast Oakland
Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee Bail Fund
Black Earth Farms
Rebuilding Oakland Black Businesses
City of Dreams
Roots Community Health Center

LGBTQ+
Trans Cultural District COVID Relief
LGBTQ Freedom Fund
Trans Justice Funding Project
The Okra Project
Black Trans Travel Fund

Fine Arts/Performance
Black Visions
BTFA Collective
East Bay/Oakland Relief Fund for Individuals in the Arts
The Uncle Junior Project (our very own Veronica Blair's project!)

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

We acknowledge that not everyone can be on the frontline protesting or afford to make a donation. There are still so many more ways of advocating for the end of police brutality and fighting anti-blackness. You can:

Provide food, water, and medical supplies
Be the eyes and ears online for protestors on the front
Share protest safety information
Provide translations or closed captions
Sign petitions
Text/Email/Call for justice
Vote
Support Black-owned businesses - see list below
Amplify Black voices
Confront anti-blackness in your workplace, community, and family
Educate your children
Educate yourself

Support Black-Owned Businesses:

This is just the beginning. Although we’ve seen some meaningful changes in several U.S. cities as a result of protests over the past two weeks, the road ahead to sweeping federal, state, and local policy change is long.

The Birmingham movement lasted 37 days.

The Greensboro sit-ins lasted six months.

The Freedom Rides lasted seven months.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted 382 days.

Circus Center commits to supporting the Black Lives Matter movement until there is justice, equity, and liberation for Black people.

Finally, I want to thank Ali McNeill, who devoted her time, intelligence, and deep care to gathering all of these resources and opportunities, and to developing this message with me. She'll be on the receiving end of your emails to blm@circuscenter.org, so please share your gratitude with her, too.

Solidarity and courage,

Barry Kendall
Executive Director