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Norwalk Race and Social Justice

What is the Black Lives Matter Movement?

The Black Lives Matter movement challenges the systemic racism and violence faced by African Americans. Black Lives Matter campaigns to affirm the value of black lives and works to end discriminatory treatment and violence against African Americans.

History

History of #Black Lives Matter

The movement began on social media in July 2013 with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter after a Florida jury acquitted George Zimmerman of shooting dead Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old unarmed African-American student. Founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi #BlackLivesMatter has grown into an international civil rights movement that is invested in eliminating the interconnected forms of oppression and injustice that disproportionately impacts black people.

It achieved national and global impact in August 2014 after BLM supporters organized protests in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting dead of Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old African-American, by a white police officer.

Over the next years BLM organized thousands demonstrations across the USA in protest against further police killings of young African Americans. Activities undertaken under the banner of #BlackLivesMatter have included street level disruptions, high school walk-outs, boycotts, meetings with politicians, national conferences, campus protests, and chapter building on the local level. (https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/)

Explore

Explore Black Lives Matter