This year marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month—a century of documenting, preserving, and celebrating Black lives, stories, and resilience.
As our 1M4 Founder, Tansy McNulty, reflects, it’s wild to think Black History Month is older than Emmett Till, and we might never have known his story if our ancestors hadn’t documented everything so meticulously. Black History Month is also around the same age as her grandfather, who will be 97 this year, reminding us that formal celebrations of our history are still young, still being written. Just a couple days ago, on Feb 20th, we also recognized World Day of Social Justice, highlighting that the work of remembering, preserving, sharing, and fighting for justice is ongoing, and it starts with action.
One of the most urgent ways we honor Black lives today is by preserving evidence after incidents of police violence. When a loved one is harmed or killed in an officer-involved incident, every photo, video, message, or document can be crucial to ensure accountability and justice. But evidence can disappear fast if it’s not formally requested. That’s why sending a preservation of evidence letter matters. It’s a clear, official notice that nothing related to the incident should be altered, destroyed, or discarded—and it’s recognized by courts as legally important.
Why preserving evidence matters
Preservation isn’t just a legal step. It’s a moral and historical one. Just as our ancestors documented Black lives to ensure history remembered them, preserving evidence today protects truth for the people impacted and for our communities. It allows families, advocates, journalists, and policymakers to act from facts, not speculation. It strengthens transparency and shields the village, our village (you and your loved ones).
1M4 has made this easier with a template letter created for you and your community, designed to be straightforward and actionable. It specifies the incident, the impacted person, and all the evidence that should be preserved—from videos and photos to communications with law enforcement or witnesses. Simply add your specific details in the appropriate sections and provide the completed document to leadership at the local business near the incident location.
As we continue to honor Black History Month before February is over, we’re reminded how recent many of these injustices are, and how much work remains. Justice is not automatic, and history shows us that accountability only happens when someone takes the steps to document, preserve, and insist on the truth. Preserving evidence is one of those steps. It’s a small action with enormous impact, a way to remember those harmed and make sure future generations know their stories.
Ready take action? Use our template to formally request preservation of evidence after any officer-involved incident.
Your Sistas Through It All,
The Ladies of 1M4
Spread Some Blessings!
The consequences of police violence extend far beyond the loss of life. For families affected, it’s the loss of income, the sacrifice of basic necessities, and the start of a high-cost legal fight. If you have the capacity, consider donating to 1M4. Proceeds help support impacted families and sustain the work of 1M4 toward ending police violence for good.
To ensure our community has the resources provided by 1M4 and are fully empowered to shield their immediate community from harm, our Founder will hold weekly office hours to answer any questions and walk members through our safety resources.
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