U.S (Color Of Change) : Support the U.S OLYMPIAN ACTIVIST BLACK ATHLETES.

 

 

 

“If it wasn’t for Color Of Change, I probably would not be in this sport,” said Gwen Berry, a Black woman athlete, Olympian, record-holder in hammer-throwing, Pan-American gold medalist, and award-winning social justice activist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear friend,

 

 

 

The Tokyo Olympics is less than a month away, and Color Of Change is continuing to support Black athlete-activists like Gwen Berry. In 2019, The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) punished Berry for raising her fist at the Pan American Games to protest racial injustice, and just this past weekend, Berry was the target of a wave of death threats for her protest at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials.

 

Like Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Rose Robinson, Gwen Berry continues the tradition of using her platform to protest racial injustice.^1,2 Rather than back athlete protest, her corporate sponsors chose the wrong side of history and dropped her.³ With our members’ support, Color Of Change was able to step in to provide Berry with financial sponsorship and push AirBnB and Puma to uphold her and become her corporate sponsors.^4,5 

 

There is nothing more “Olympic” than fighting for justice. While the USOPC has changed their stance on protests thanks to pressure from Berry, Color Of Change members, and dozens of athletes, the IOC has doubled down with its discriminatory Rule 50 ban on protests.⁶ Now you can join Color Of Change in publicly denouncing the IOC’s enforcement of Rule 50. Make a $50 donation and Color Of Change will send you your very own Activist Athlete shirt ! This shirt is designed by Gwen Berry herself, and is a replica of the one she wore during her protest at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, so secure your own piece of history !

DONATE NOW 

 

 

 

 

This gift is only available to U.S. residents. Please ensure that your address is up to date when making your donation and allow up to 2 weeks for delivery. 

 

For any questions, please contact members@colorofchange.org. 

 

Until justice is real, 

 

 

 

 

 

The Color Of Change team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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References :

1. “U.S. Olympians, John Carlos call on IOC to abolish anti-protest rule,” Yahoo! Sports, June 27, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/267800?t=7&akid=51259%2E1942551%2ENbeUc0.
2. “Sixty Years Ago She Refused to Stand for the Anthem,” Zora/Medium, September 26, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/226239?t=9&akid=51259%2E1942551%2ENbeUc0
3. “I Used the Podium to Protest. The Olympic Committee Punished Me.,” The New York Times, September 7, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/267799?t=11&akid=51259%2E1942551%2ENbeUc0
4. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/311605?t=13&akid=51259%2E1942551%2ENbeUc0. 
5. Adam Kilgore, “After shaping protest rules in the U.S., Gwen Berry has a new sponsor and an eye on Tokyo,” Washington Post, June 21, 2021, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/311606?t=15&akid=51259%2E1942551%2ENbeUc0. 
6. Dave Zirin, “The IOC Is Now Daring Olympic Athletes to Protest,” The Nation, May 13, 2021, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/307634?t=17&akid=51259%2E1942551%2ENbeUc0.

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Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please help keep our movement strong.

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