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! – All Black Lives protesters march through Bristol
The first big city centre protest since the Black Lives Matter march on June 7, when Bristol protesters began a domino effect around the world. They toppled a statue of slave trader Edward Colston and rolled him into the harbour sparking similar actions around the globe.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Black Portland reflects on role of white allies in movement
More than two months of protests in one of the whitest major cities in America have prompted deep introspection in Portland, Oregon’s small Black community about the role of white protesters in the Black Lives Matter movement.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Felony charges against BLM protesters are ‘suppression tactic’, experts say
Rights groups say prosecutors are trying to quash anti-racism protests with excessive charges threatening long prison terms.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – 7-year-old becomes symbol of hope for Black Lives Matter movement
Zuri Jensen, 7, became a symbol of hope and inspiration during the Black Lives Matter movement when a photo taken of her raising her fist in the air went viral.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – US economist proposes $12 trillion in slavery reparations
Professor Darity and Ms. Mullen outline that to eliminate the existing Black-White wealth gap an allocation of between $10 trillion and $12 trillion, or about $800,000 per black household, should be paid.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Black Lives Matter movement street art, murals see a surge
Two months after Chicago and the nation erupted in protest of George Floyd’s killing by a white police officer in Minneapolis, a growing number of signs of the Black Lives Matter movement can be found around Chicago in the form of murals and street art.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Black Lives Matter movement sparks ‘collective awakening’ on marijuana policies
States and cities across the country have overhauled their marijuana policies in recent months, propelled by the Black Lives Matter protests over racial inequality and police brutality.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Milwaukee protesters begin march to Washington, D.C.
Milwaukee protest leader Frank Sensabaugh starts his 750 mile march with supporters to Washington, D.C.
Read MoreActivists celebrate decision to close ‘hellish’ St Louis jail
A glimpse of good news as activists in St. Lous celebrate the closing of a medium sized prison that had a reputation as a debtors’ jail.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Protests Planned in St. Louis re: 2014 Killing of Michael Brown
Protests are scheduled to happen in St. Louis, Missouri this Sunday in response to Prosecuting Attorney for the County, Wesley Bell’s recent announcement that he will not file criminal charges against former Police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown in 2014.
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