“Today, we feel a sigh of relief. Still, it cannot take away the pain,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “A measure of justice isn’t the same as equal justice. This verdict brings us a step closer. And, the fact is, we still have work to do. We must still reform the system.

Derek Chauvin, a former Minnesota police officer, was on Wednesday convicted on all counts of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd last May. Chauvin will be sentenced in the coming weeks, where he faces up to 40 years in prison. In August, three other former Minneapolis police officers will also face trial for charges stemming from Floyd’s death.

“We’re relieved that this jury has finally held Derek Chauvin accountable for the murder of George Floyd, but our communities deserve more,” read an emailed statement from the social justice organization Color of Change. “The truth is, this trial was never about justice, it was about accountability. No guilty verdict could correct the injustice done to George Floyd, his family, loved ones, and his community. And no guilty verdict can bring back all of the Black lives lost to state-sanctioned violence.”

As we mourn lives taken too soon and feel relief for this moment of accountability, we know our fight continues.

“We must renew our conviction to create a world where police do not have the opportunity to use violence and harassment to target Black people as police have been doing since their inception as slave patrols created to monitor, control, and oppress Black communities,” says Jason Williamson, deputy director of the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project.

Here at DoSomething, we believe that we are witnessing a transformational moment in our nation’s journey towards liberty and justice for all. And we know young people like you will power that transformation. Here are some things you can do right now.

Register to vote. Your lawmakers have the power to dictate policing in your community. You have the power to elect those lawmakers. Take 2 minutes and register to vote.

Demand police accountability and reform. Use 5Calls to support the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, sign this petition from the NAACP, message President Biden through the ACLU, and text DEMANDS to 55156 for a list of actions from Color of Change.

Practice self-care. Learn what to do when the news feels overwhelming, access mental health resources for BIPOC, and text DS to 741-741 to access a counselor through Crisis Text Line.

Let's Do This,

Ben, Editor-in-chief

DoSomething Members Are Recycling and Donating Clothes for Earth Day (April 22) and Beyond

“I think that everyone should have access to clean clothing and should be able to afford it no matter what their circumstances,” says DoSomething member Kaitlyn, 18, who recently dropped off 16 gently-used items at Goodwill. “Plus, donating and upcycling clothing is better for the planet and it helps fight against the destructiveness of the fast fashion industry.”

While approximately 95% of all used clothing, footwear, and other household fabric products, such as sheets and towels, can be reused or recycled, only 15% of reusable textiles are recycled. The good news is, of all recyclable materials, textile reuse and recycling has the second-highest potential for reducing greenhouse gases.

That’s why, this Earth Day (Thursday, April 22) and beyond, DoSomething members are recycling their old textiles and donating their gently-used clothes to local organizations in need through our Comeback Clothes campaign.

“Donating clothing not only helps the environment and climate, but also assists others in the local community to have access to good quality, lower priced clothing,” says DoSomething member Jessica, 23, who donated 11 items.

DoSomething members participating in Comeback Clothes

Join the DoSomething community! Learn how to donate or recycle unwanted clothes and textiles to protect the planet.