Foam Bullet Activity Sheet 12/27/2020

“I kept it, want to see it?” Is what a friend asked me right before he pulled out of his pocket a rubber bullet. It was one of the ones LBPD used on protestors in downtown Long Beach in the Summer of 2020. I was surprised by the color, weight, size and how resembled a toy.

I came up with the idea to create the activity sheet back in September but have been working on how to best present it by experimenting with various materials. In retrospect the time spent working on this project offered a greater perspective on how these weapons cause lasting physiological and psychological damage. As a society we were all witness to how these weapons of incapacitation are used on a local and national level. Particularly, how they are used indiscriminately on communities peacefully protesting police brutality.

Often, our interactions with these objects are limited to pictures online or in the news. I wanted to create something that was easily reproducible and tangible. An object you can view, print, make, and hold in your hand. A physical totem representing the cost of public safety and how it is returned to us with impact.

I have to give much of the credit to the manufacturer from whom most of the copy is borrowed directly from. You can view the Technical Report for yourself in the link.

I created a piece that drew from the impact caused by the bullet. The colors created from the bruising and swelling of skin and impressions taken from the jagged asphalt are imprinted directly onto the activity sheet. It is a reimagined technical Report selling you the item by displaying the colors and textures of damage caused.

By printing out this activity sheet you will be able to reproduce your very own foam projectile out of paper. Printing this sheet out on any 8 1/2 x 11 paper and printer should give you an approximate size to the original . I recommend printing on card stock paper and using a glue stick or hot glue gun to complete the activity sheet. Feel free to color or paint to complete your activity cut-out.

This is a continuation of my activity sheet series questioning the cost of public safety and at who’s expense does it always fall on. Why is it that the same communities always pay with pain and cents.

Feel free to make a donation to any of the local organizing groups below. You can print your own activity below.

PROCESS

Print your own Activity Sheet HERE

Printable Poster 8/4/2020

Feel free to download and print your own poster.

Feel free to download and share these activity sheets. In lieu of payment feel free to donate whatever is within your means to any of the following local organization. I have attached links to their sites.

Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition

Black Lives Matter Long Beach. venmo: @BLMLBC

Long Beach Forward

Campaign Finance Fun

updated (12/20)

Here is a fun little activity sheet for you to print out and enjoy with the whole family. Start your very own campaign finance fund. It can be difficult at times to get the attention of city officials to address things such as: fixing up your street, extending public library hours, making sure community centers are open longer, increasing access to mental health and medical health services, affordable housing, immigration reform, LGBTQ rights, stopping the over criminalization of BIPOC, or even divesting from local the local police department. This can be even more difficult if you come from certain parts of the city that get constantly overlooked.

With your new campaign finance fund you too can start saving your nickels and dimes to donate to your local elected official’s next campaign. It’s never too early, everybody does it! Even the Police!

Cut out and let the financial lobbying begin!

Campaign finance reform is needed on a National and Local level. Right now we are witnessing the effects of too much influence on local politics and how the consequences trickle down affecting BIPOC.

Feel free to download and share these activity sheets. In lieu of payment feel free to donate whatever is within your means to any of the following local organization. I have attached links to their sites.

Black Lives Matter Long Beach. venmo: @BLMLBC

Long Beach Forward

Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition

I am not associatd with any of the aforementioned groups, I just support what they do.

Sources:

PERSPECTIVE: LB Police Union has Given the Mayor $500K since 2015, Elected Officials Must Stop Taking Their Money

Framework for Reconciliation in Long Beach