Today, @actblue emailed their entire list serve with a call the #protecttheprotestor.

The email and the website supporting @ColorOfChange’s fundraiser has my face clearly displayed in this graphic:

Not only am I NOT associated with these orgs, I’m in NO way receiving funds from these campaigns. The org I started in 2015 is not receiving funds from these campaigns.

I was not reached out to about being included in this campaign by @ColorOfChange or @actblue. I feel violated.

I am not a nameless, faceless organizer . I at one point was a lead organizer in Atlanta and as such, faced an EXTREME amount of malicious retaliation from both federal and local forces.

I have been kidnapped by the police. I was almost shot by klan members on Stone Mountain.

This image is not from recent protests, but I have been supporting local efforts in Atlanta.

W/ police surveillance of activists at an all time high, why in the HELL would @actblue + @ColorOfChange put MY face on this huge campaign, knowing that it could put my safety at risk?!

I’m in my bed sobbing, thinking about the time this picture was taken and feeling terrified this violation will kick up another wave of malicious acts.

I was getting death threats from unlisted # s. I checked underneath my car everywhere I went. I wouldn’t sleep at home.

It doesn’t even matter if @actblue and @ColorOfChange take me of their website now.

The graphic they made that clearly displays my face was included in an email announcing the campaign, sent to a listserv that no doubt includes hundreds thousands, if not millions of people.

I have agency +choice. These were stolen from me when @actblue + @ColorOfChange put my face on this campaign w/o asking if I consented at all.

I don’t care if it’s not “illegal”. It’s NOT RIGHT.

Ironicly this #SupportTheProtester campaign choose to take an organizer’s agency?

These orgs are NOT on the ground, + continually prove that their support is performative and HOLLOW.

Not a single person from @ColorOfChange or @actblue thought with more intention around using someone’s face, a Black Womxn’s face for a #SupportTheProtesters fund?! Really??

Black womxn are NOT disposable. I am not a mule for your financial gain, @actblue. It’s acts like this, @ColorOfChange, that make you untrustworthy.

Disregarding my consent, esp in these times, is violent AF. Fuck your intentions. This is anti-Black. I will not stand for it.

In response:

• I DEMAND @actblue/ @ColorOfChange remove me from ALL fund materials.

• I DEMAND @actblue/ @ColorOfChange send an email to their listserv publicly apologizing for violating my privacy

• I DEMAND that 7% of the funds raised go to an org of my choosing in Atlanta.

Please, if you come across this thread, retweet and include my demands in your RT.

If you want to actually #protecttheprotesters today, you can do so by standing with ME. I’ve done it for so many others, and I did not deserve this.

K, gonna go finish crying now.

At this point I’m like... is anyone EVER going to value the lives and safety of Black femmes?! Because... y’all act like you want us dead. Lol.

No, seriously... how is this okay?! AT ALL?!

I was going to edit my poetry manuscript, catch up on emails, and write the outline for my essay collection.

I’ve been “supporting protestors” or on the ground for a month straight. I live the hashtag of y’alls lil fundraiser.

Today was supposed to be about ME. I’m so angry.

@ColorOfChange sent out these tweets, BEFORE contacting me. I have not been contacted by anyone from the organization.

So, are y’all really sorry or are you trying to get ahead of the public embarrassment?

URGENT: for transparency, I want to let y’all know that a person from @actblue has reached out to me.

I also want to update y’all that I’m adding a demand in light of @ColorOfChange’s silence:

. @ColorOfChange + @actblue must either create photo/crediting protocols to ensure this won’t happen again, or do a overhaul of what little in place.

In light of my significant comms & organizing experience I think it’s appropriate that I be brought on as a contractor, to assist.

Hi folks,

Got some updates I feel inclined to share.

1st lemme just say, thank you. So much. To everyone who shared, reached out, checked in, called folks, + really made me feel seen today. I am never shocked but always in awe of solidarity in praxis. I’m... so grateful.

@ColorOfChange reached out and I had a call with the VP, and some folks on the comms team and the protect the protestors campaign.

They’ve agreed to all of the demands, and have added a few things they’re willing to offer to further repair the harm:

• My images have been removed.

• An email is going out, correcting the harm and taking accountability.

• They’re inviting me as a consult to create a better vetting process

• 7% of funds raised will go to an Atlanta org. I’ll update y’all on where that money goes.

In addition, CoC has offered to provide me with data and device security support, and will be immediately sending supplies to protestors on the ground.

ColorOfChange has a long way to go to support grassroots organizers, and there’s a lot of valid concerns out there. I know.

I’m going to try to focus on this small part in the world’s madness, and get back to the work that’s actually mine. FWIW I’m not a non-profit nigga. lol.

I have yet to speak directly to @actblue leadership, though an employee sent my concerns up the chain.

I got a DM from their twitter account that was... a bit condescending. They made sure to inform me of their policies that put responsibility on individual orgs.

They did say that ppl in comms + outreach are willing to talk + they’re open to bringing me on as contractor. didn’t speak to other demands.

Here’s my response. I’m pushing to speak to leadership, not the probably already overworked staff who can’t make structural changes.

I’ll update this thread when I have additional things to share.

I’m so grateful for the support, though I cannot communicate how severely exhausting + triggering today has been. I shouldn’t have been forced to advocate for myself in the first place.

It’s been a clusterfuck.

Black womxn and femmes are forced to fight for shreds of dignity bc the world is built on the dehumanization and exploitation of our work, our bodies, our contributions and our lives.

Today was supposed to be about my creative work and instead I had to defend my body autonomy.

Apologies can’t take any of these violences back. Despite meeting my demands there may be consequences I have to carry. That’s just the truth.

Hopefully we can call out this (despicable, exploitative, common) norm in the non profit industrial complex + shift culture around it.

I know this is small— trust me, I been gaslighting myself all day about making a fuss re: pictures while the world is on fire.

But I’m a survivor of many violences, and each removed my agency.

I’m working against these violences. I’d much rather be doing MY work.

Shit like this forces me to
1) plow through being retriggered, ignoring my rage, my sadness and my fear
2) keep quiet bc of the optics or in fear of negative feetback, or
3) force folks in power to acknowledge their harm + change course.

Which typa bitch y’all think I am? lolll.

So, this is where we’re at.

If you’ve texted me, if you’ve shot me an email or called, know that I love you and I’m trying to be gentle with myself. Pls be gentle with me too. Gimme a lil time! Lol

We still fighting for our folks in these streets! Love y’all. So much.

+++ also? Gonna keep it real witchu bc the Sag sun in me would be remiss:

It’s a terrible fucking photo of me.

Lollllllll

I love you!