Black Lives Matter, sometimes shortened to “BLM,” is an anti-racist movement that highlights racism and the disparities that evolve from racism, including police brutality and other anti-Black violence. Black Lives Matter gained popularity online after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer was recorded and shared by a bystander. In response to the video, which shows officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, protests erupted around the world. These protests were often met with police violence, some of which has been declared illegal while protestors have been falsely arrested.
The momentum continued to draw attention to police violence, both as more Black lives were taken and as previous stories came to light. Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Breonna Taylor are also victims who the movement has recognized. Thanks to the attention given to these cases, some of the perpetrators have finally faced justice, including Derek Chauvin, who has been convicted with murder.
BLM also encouraged police reform and greater investigations into policing, with some activists calling for reparations or to defund the police and reroute funds to other social programs that may be more effective. The movement has further brought attention to international conflict and raised funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. In some ways, the movement reflects the previous Civil Rights Movement, which lasted through the 1960s to 1980s including the Black Panther Party, which provided community assistance. Because of this, the movement has been recognized for its historical significance.
However, the movement has come under fire for protests that turned violent, for focusing too much on Black men, and for mismanaging funds raised.
A nonprofit organization, The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, also exists. Some people may refer to it as simply “Black Lives Matter.”
See all of our Black Lives Matter content below, starting with the most recent.
Posts Tagged ‘Black Lives Matter (BLM)’
Special News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Nashville advocates press for change after two police shootings
The Nashville Organized for Action and Hope’s criminal justice task force held a press conference to address two police shootings in Nashville.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Minneapolis to pay George Floyd’s family $27m in police custody death lawsuit
City agrees to settle civil lawsuit with George Floyd’s family during jury selection for trial of Derek Chauvin, former police officer charged with murder.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Black Lives Matter Launches relief fund for Black people during pandemic
As Congress delays in passing COVID-19 relief legislation, Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) and BLM Grassroots unveiled a $3 million, nationwide fund to assist Black people who are struggling financially during the pandemic.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Police deployed potentially lethal chemical during Black Lives Matter protests
Even if federal agents and police never again fill the streets with clouds of toxic zinc chloride, the consequences of its prolific deployment may haunt cities for many years to come.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – New Orleans EMS creates Black Lives Matter pin
New Orleans EMS has created a custom pin to show support for the city’s Black community “in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and Black History Month.
Read MoreJudge rejects request to increase Kyle Rittenhouse’s bond and issue arrest warrant
Wisconsin domestic terrorist-Kyle Rittenhouse continues to walk free after bail violation.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – BLM ad condemns White supremacy ahead of Trump impeachment trial
A new Black Lives Matter ad is calling for an end to White supremacy using footage of the January 6 Capitol riots and historic Ku Klux Klan rallies to pressure lawmakers to impeach and convict former President Donald Trump.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Karl Walker, 29, Shot And Killed By CHP Officers In Dixon
Authorities have finally confirmed that Karl Walker is the man shot and killed by California Highway Patrol officers in Dixon early in the morning, January 31st.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Black Lives Matter movement nominated for Nobel peace prize
The Black Lives Matter movement has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel peace prize for the way it calls for systemic change has spread around the world. In his nomination papers, the Norwegian MP Petter Eide said the movement had forced countries outside the US to grapple with racism within their own societies.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Fatal Police Shootings Of Unarmed Black People Reveal Troubling Patterns
Since 2015, police officers have fatally shot at least 135 unarmed Black men and women nationwide, an NPR investigation has found.
Read More