Media Contact

Sam Petto, ACLU of Nebraska Communications Director

June 22, 2021

A group listens to a speaker during an Educators for Black Lives rally in Omaha. In the foreground, a sign reads "Fight Racism in Nebraska."

LINCOLN, Neb. – A local resource that’s helped thousands of Nebraskans take action against racism just got a big update.

Today, the ACLU of Nebraska, Black & Pink National, and I Be Black Girl published a new version of their guide to Fighting Racism in Nebraska. The updated guide features new calls to action, resources and definitions - all centered around recognizing systemic racism in Nebraska communities and taking action to address it.

The advocacy organizations created the initial online resource in the earliest weeks of the 2020 racial justice protests to provide a starting point for Nebraskans who were interested in promoting racial equity, justice and healing. Over the last year, visitors have viewed the page more than 15,000 times.

The new update brings the resource to the current moment. Readers will find legislative bills to fight for in 2022, policy arguments playing out right now, and new educational resources including podcasts and films.

Organizers intentionally planned the launch to follow Juneteenth.

“After a weekend of celebration and reflection, our message is simple: the work is not done and the work belongs to all of us,” said Ashlei Spivey, founder of I Be Black Girl and president of the ACLU of Nebraska board. “Racism shows up in so many parts of our lives and with intention and effort, we can create a more just and equitable Nebraska.”

2020 and 2021 have brought accomplishments recommended in the original guide, including passage of protection for natural hair in the workplace, a statewide ban on chokeholds and mayoral pardons for arrested protesters in Omaha.

The update was made possible thanks to generous support from the Omaha Community Foundation.