Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a movement aimed at highlighting and combating racism, discrimination, and racial inequality faced by black people. It also advocates for anti-racism. Key issues include police brutality and violence against black individuals. The movement started in response to the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Rekia Boyd. BLM groups push for black liberation and criminal justice reforms. While some groups, like the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, use the name, BLM is largely decentralized and leaderless. As of 2021, it has about 40 chapters in the U.S. and Canada. Notably, the slogan “Black Lives Matter” is not trademarked. In 2013, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi created the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter after George Zimmerman’s trial for killing Trayvon Martin. BLM gained national attention after the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Protests erupted, especially after Brown died in Ferguson, Missouri. Since then, BLM activists have protested other police-related deaths. In 2015, they also engaged in the presidential election. The movement’s visibility surged in 2020, following George Floyd’s murder by police. Between 15 to 26 million people protested in the U.S., making it one of the largest movements in history. Despite claims of violence, most BLM protests have been peaceful. Support for BLM has fluctuated, especially among white Americans. In 2020, 67% supported it. By 2023, this dropped to 51%. However, support among people of colour remains strong. In 2023, 81% of African Americans, 61% of Hispanics, and 63% of Asian Americans backed BLM.