We want to live in a world where Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) don’t have to bear the burden of environmental injustice, violent over-policing, job discrimination, and inequitable health care, housing, and educational services.
We regularly plant trees in neighborhoods that are subject to and affected by discriminatory police practices, institutionalized racism, and economic inequality. Often the lack of green spaces in these communities is a direct result of these injustices. To the residents and community groups in these neighborhoods: we will partner with you and remain your ally for the long term, not only when we need help planting trees.
Black lives matter. We have been listening and learning actively about how we can stand in solidarity with the rising movement to end police brutality against Black people in our country and around the world. We recognize this has been an ongoing struggle long before we saw George Floyd brutally and unjustly murdered and we’ll continue to support the movement after this issue is no longer at the forefront of national attention. Every day the media portrays the victimization of BIPOC by racists and law enforcement. As long as we change the channel and look away, BIPOC will continue to be abused and their rights put on the back burner. Black and Indigenous people have said what’s needed to be heard for 400 years, and now it’s time for the voices of non-BIPOC people to stand up and shout for a just future for all of us.
FUF has a responsibility to use our platform to make sure our community knows where we stand. Silence is complacency, and complacency only benefits widespread injustice against BIPOC. This is a movement that requires constant and diligent conversations and our collective anti-racist action/participation in all spaces and systems where racism is present.
We are committed to:
- diversifying our leadership positions
- diversifying our volunteer community
- protecting the emotional and physical well-being of our staff, and equitably compensating them
- supporting our partners who reach voices and issues we cannot
- furthering our education programs
- including marginalized voices in our decision-making process inside and outside our organization
- providing employment opportunities to those underrepresented in the environmental sector
Want to join us in joining them?
Just as we encourage you to get involved with FUF, we encourage you to join us in volunteering for and/or donating to our partners if you can (see the list below). Their work is not free, and every bit counts.
Until Black people have the right to breathe, we cannot claim that the trees we plant are helping people to breathe better.
RACIAL JUSTICE = ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Please consider supporting these local organizations:
- BMAGIC, under the leadership of Lyslynn Lacoste, creates collaborative community building efforts that improve the quality of life of Bayview-Hunters Point children, youth & families. bayviewmagic.org
- The Bayview Hunters Point Clinic provides innovative health and wellness services to all, with the goal of African American health equity. marincityclinic.org/bayview-hunters-point
- Hunters Point Family provides support services to African American youth and families living in San Francisco’s Bayview Hunters Point community. hunterspointfamily.org
- Imprint City, led by Tyra Fennell, activates neighborhoods with performing and visual art events to encourage increased foot traffic and economic vitality in desolate areas. facebook.com/imprintcity
- The UCSF Wraparound Project at San Francisco General Hospital works to break the cycle of violent injury in San Francisco by connecting with patients at a teachable moment and addressing the root causes of violence. wraparound.ucsf.edu
Please consider supporting these national organizations:
- @showupnow — Community support funds in defense of black life. Donate here.
- Black Lives Matter — We appreciate your support of the movement and our ongoing fight to end state-sanctioned violence, liberate Black people, and end white supremacy forever. Donate here.
- NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund — While we are living in a moment unlike any we have seen before, LDF will continue to work to protect the most vulnerable in our society. During this time, the fight to defend our civil and human rights has never been more critical. Donate today to help us win landmark legal battles, protect voters across the nation, and advance the cause of racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society. Donate here.
- American Civil Liberties Union — Black people are being murdered and brutalized by police with near impunity. Act with us to end police brutality, demand racial justice, and defend our right to protest. Your donation will fuel our legal battles and urgent advocacy efforts. Donate here.
- Movement for Black Lives — The Movement for Black Lives is made up of over 150 organizations that coordinate actions, messages and campaigns. Organizations like: Black Alliance for Justice Immigration, Blackbird, Black Lives Matter Network, Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity, Blackout Collective, Black Youth Project 100, Color of Change, Dignity and Power Now, Freedom Inc, Southerners on New Ground, UndocuBlack Network, Law4Black Lives, Black Movement Law Project, and many others. Donate here.
- Color Of Change — Power the movement to end police violence. Color Of Change was founded in moments just like this one. History teaches us that people-powered movements are critical to transforming our communities. Starting this year, our team will lead campaigns that take on the institution of policing head-on. Donate here.
FUF thanks its BIPOC staff, who both contributed to and led the development of this statement.