AOT History & Herstory

A diverse group of protesters holding signs and banners during a Black Lives Matter march on a city street, with tall buildings and trees visible in the background.
A large group of people participating in a protest march on a city street, holding signs and wearing masks, with tall buildings in the background.
A black and white photo of a large group of people seated on steps in front of a historic building with tall columns.
A large crowd of people participating in a protest or rally on a city street, with some sitting and others standing, holding signs, and taking photos or videos. Many are wearing face masks, and there are trees, buildings, and a bus in the background.
Protesters sitting on the street holding signs and banners, many wearing masks, with city buildings and a bus in the background.
Black and white photo of protesters on a city street, some wearing masks, holding signs, with one person speaking through a megaphone.

Our Roots: Rising from the Call for Justice

America On Trial Inc. (AOT) was founded in the wake of the 2020 killing of George Floyd, born from the urgency to demand justice and systemic change. As protests ignited across New York City, we stood with the people, advocating for action beyond the streets. From The People’s March (June–October 2020)—which pushed for the criminalization of chokeholds and the repeal of 50-A—to launching community fridges in Brooklyn (Crown Heights) and Queens (Queensbridge), we took direct steps to support communities in need. We also organized neighborhood cleanups during sanitation budget cuts and built a youth leadership coalition to equip the next generation with tools for advocacy and lasting change.

Our advocacy helped fuel a movement that led to real policy victories:

  • On June 2, 2020, Senator Brad Hoylman tweeted that his office had received nearly 2,000 emails from constituents demanding that 50-A be repealed on that day alone.

  • On June 3, 2020, Senator Liz Krueger tweeted, “My office has never received so many emails supporting a bill in such a short period of time as we have for #Repeal50A over the last two days.”

  • On June 5, 2020, New York constituents sent over 100,000 emails and made over 20,000 phone calls in support of repealing 50-A, a major legislative push toward police accountability.

Recognizing the need for long-term impact, America On Trial Inc. was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in the state of New York on July 27, 2022. This milestone solidified our commitment to building a sustainable movement dedicated to justice, equity, and empowerment.