aot History & Herstory
The genesis of America On Trial (AOT) was as a rallying cry during a protest. Over time, it evolved into the official name of our organization. AOT has emerged from the heart of the resistance movement, born from the current state of our nation. Our inception coincided with the New York George Floyd protests in 2020, which were ignited by the tragic death of George Floyd, among countless others who fell victim to police brutality.
AOT originally started as a united force across all five boroughs of the city. Our central mission revolves around equipping organizers with the knowledge and skills needed to effect change and become effective leaders. We provide guidance on organizing, leadership development, setting forth demands, orchestrating marches and rallies, and fostering community-driven social change. Our ultimate aim is to nurture and empower leaders, facilitating positive transformation within communities.
From June to October 2020, we were in constant motion, organizing, marching, and rallying in every borough of New York. Our collective movement, known as 'The People's March,' drew participants from across the city who joined us in protest at Washington Square Park.
America On Trial (AOT) was established in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by the city's first curfew since 1943, which lasted from June 1 to June 7. During this challenging time, we actively engaged in the civil unrest movement and advocated for police reform. Our efforts led to significant changes, including the criminalization of chokeholds during arrests, the repeal of 50-a, and the passage of other crucial legislation. We achieved these milestones by mobilizing New Yorkers and directly affected individuals to engage with their elected officials. Through our advocacy, we not only called for specific demands but also educated community leaders on the importance of protective legislation for our communities.
AOT, we played a role in establishing community fridges in Brooklyn, with a notable presence in Crown Heights and Queens, particularly across Queensbridge. These fridges were created to provide nourishment to communities facing food insecurity.
Additionally, we organized community clean-up efforts in neighborhoods affected by the 2020 Budget sanitation cuts. During these events, we engaged with the elderly community to address the issues impacting us all.
One of our notable achievements was the formation of a youth leadership coalition, consisting of individuals aged 16 to 20. This coalition represents the voices of those who may not be as vocally active and aims to empower young people to speak up and make a difference.
Quotes
On June 2, 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, 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 #Repeal 50A over the last two days."
On June 5, 2020, constituents in New York sent over 100,000 emails and made over 20,000 phone calls.
