Today would have been Eleanor Bumpurs' 102nd birthday if NYPD hadn't killed her during an eviction in 1984 over $400. When you think about the millions of people who are about to be evicted, remember Eleanor Bumpurs: capitalism, racism, and the violence of policing all in one.

She was a 66 yr old Black woman w/mental health challenges who owed $400. 6 cops "with helmets, bulletproof vests, gas masks, Plexiglas shields, a six-foot pronged restraining pole and a shotgun charged into her apartment during an eviction proceeding." https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1985/02/10/slaying-by-ny-police-adds-to-racial-tension/ef09e4cf-e402-4f2f-81ae-50e9c7068ae1/

She was naked, holding a knife, and known to have mental health issues. The police were part of a unit specially trained on mental health. They shot her twice with a shot gun, killing her. When the DA indicted the cop, thousands of cops protested, calling him "Ayatollah Merola".

Officer Sullivan was charged with manslaughter. His lawyers argued he had not used excessive force in killing Bumpurs because she had a knife. Sullivan fired two shots, the first hit her in the hand leaving it "a bloody stump" according to doctors. Sullivan was acquitted.

What does this say about evictions in 2020? 1st, Covid disproportionately impacts Black & Brown ppl. They're more likely to get Covid & 2x likely to die from it. They are also more likely to work retail jobs & less likely to be allowed to work remotely.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/05/us/coronavirus-latinos-african-americans-cdc-data.html

As a result and in combination with racist housing & employment practices, more than half of Black & Brown households lost employment income. Even more renters did.
64 % of Latinx renters & 57% of Black renters lost income. https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/a-triple-pandemic-the-economic-impacts-of-covid-19-disproportionately-affect-black-and-hispanic-households/

So, when the courts open again & the eviction moratoriums end, who do we think we'll be evicting? Millions of Black and Brown families, already struggling to thrive in a racist society, will be made houseless by an indifferent society. A society that values profits over people.

When the police/sheriff show up to enforce evictions, how many Black & Brown will be assaulted or killed, let alone made houseless? Evictions only occur to protect the profits of property owners, which the police are designed to preserve. Is that the society you want to live in?

If you want to get involved to fight back, check out @movementlawlab @archcitydefense @LATenantsUnion @NolaRenters and so many more. https://movementlawlab.org/housing-justice