04.17.2020

NEW YORK -- Today, the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) announced the launch of its Community Solidarity Fund to provide emergency resources to the frontline communities most harmed by the virus and its economic consequences. Through basic services and community organizing, these grassroots organizations are advocating for those most affected by the health and economic emergency—particularly Black and Brown communities, who are immigrants and undocumented workers, care workers, and supermarket workers—who are dying from the virus at disproportionate rates and have been left behind by our government’s inadequate response. The nonprofit has partnered with The Martinez Brothers to host a live jam session on their social platforms to bolster its fundraising efforts. 

The Community Solidarity Fund has raised almost $300,000 and has made emergency rapid response grants to CASA, Churches United For Fair Housing, Make the Road New York, New York Communities for Change, VOCAL New York, Make the Road New Jersey, Working Washington, Detroit Action, Flint Rising, Step Up Louisiana,  and Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment. The grants support rapid response work in this crisis moment, including direct relief to impacted individuals in the form of cash assistance, food, groceries, and other basic needs. Future grants will also support long-term organizing to address the root causes of the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities and the systemic injustices brought to light by our government’s response.

The co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, Andrew Friedman shared the following sentiment. 

“This pandemic has demonstrated how the inadequate public health system and social safety net of our country have failed us. The federal government has, for years, neglected tens of millions of Black and Brown people and workers in our communities. The Community Solidarity Fund will help frontline workers and families in communities that have been hit the hardest. Now more than ever, we must rise together.” 

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