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! – US police three times as likely to use force against leftwing protesters
New data from a non-profit that monitors political violence around the world shows Police in the US are far more aggressive with left leaning protesters, regardless if the protests remain peaceful or not.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Racial Double Standard of Capitol Police Draws Outcry
Black Lives Matter activists across the country expressed outrage at what they said was a tepid response from law enforcement officers to mostly white protesters, saying it stood in stark contrast to the aggressive tactics they have endured for years.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – ‘We’re not stopping’: Community organizers are focusing on local policy changes for 2021
Entering into the new year of 2021 Wisconsin’s community organizers have vowed to keep pushing for meaningful, local change.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – In 2020, Protests Spread Across The Globe With A Similar Message: Black Lives Matter
The Black Lives Matter movement became an international phenomenon in 2020. As protesters took to the streets in cities across the U.S. in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis, Minn., so did demonstrators in other countries — all with a similar message: Black lives matter.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Ohio police chief calls for termination of cop who killed Andre Hill
Chief Thomas Quinlan of the Ohio Police Dept. released a video statement on Thursday (Dec. 24) informing viewers that Officer Adam Coy will be charged with critical misconduct and should be terminated.
Read MorePastor Of Black Church Vandalized After Pro-Trump Rally Hopes More Christians Speak Up
Far-Right protestors vandalized an historically Black church in Washington D.C. due to the church supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Indians nickname decision came from ‘awakening’ after George Floyd’s death
The Cleveland Indians are one of the last teams with Native American monikers. After a summer of racial unrest owner Paul Dolan has had an “epiphany” and has decided to finally change the team’s name.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – More US churches are committing to racism-linked reparations
There is a widespread surge of interest among many U.S. religious groups in the area of reparations, particularly among long-established Protestant churches that were active in the era of slavery. Many are initiating or considering how to make amends through financial investments and long-term programs benefiting African Americans.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Judges Continue To Dismiss Cases Against Black Lives Matter Demonstrators
Many of the first cases to come to resolution following the spring demonstrations sparked by the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others are being thrown out as “unconstitutionally vague.”
Read MoreVisible Men: Black Fathers Talk About Losing Sons to Police Brutality
Raising Black men in America is still done by Black father figures inspite of the stereotype of the absent father.
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