When we say Black Lives Matter, we are broadening the conversation around state violence to include all of the ways in which Black people are intentionally left powerless at the hands of the state. We are talking about the ways in which Black lives are deprived of our basic human rights and dignity. #BlackLivesMatter is a movement that is working for a world where Black lives are no longer systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. We affirm our contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression. We have put our sweat equity and love for Black people into creating a political project–taking the hashtag off of social media and into the streets. The call for Black lives to matter is a rallying cry for ALL Black lives striving for liberation. (Source: BlackLivesMatter.com)
"#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives."—Blacklivesmatter.com
These are the events that inspired the movement:
In the summer of 2013, the movement began with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter following the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teen. The movement was founded by three black community organizers: Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi.
On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner, an unarmed Black man was fatally restrained with an apparent choke hold by Daniel Pantaleo, a white police officer, in Staten Island, NY.
On August 9, 2014, 18-year-old Michael Brown, an unarmed Black man, was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, a white police officer, in Ferguson, MO by Darren Wilson, a white police officer in Ferguson, MO.
The following resources provide a timeline of the events leading up to the Black Lives Matter movement:
The following resources provide background information on the Black Lives Matter movement:
