BlackLivesMatter

Black Lives Matter (BLM) is an international activist movement that campaigns against violence and systemic racism toward Black people. It seeks to address police brutality, racial profiling, and broader inequities in the criminal justice system and society at large.

The movement began in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin, with the phrase “Black Lives Matter” popularized by activist Alicia Garza. It was founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, who described BLM as a decentralized network and a shared organizing framework rather than a single, centralized organization.

BLM operates as a decentralized movement with local chapters and affiliated groups. There is no single governing body; participants coordinate through online platforms and community organizing. A separate nonprofit, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, has served as a fundraising and grantmaking arm for parts of the movement, supporting various chapters and initiatives.

The movement has organized protests and campaigns around police violence, criminal justice reform, and racial equity. It gained heightened attention after high-profile cases and during the widespread protests of 2020 following George Floyd’s death, influencing public discourse and prompting policy discussions and some reforms in policing and related areas. Critics have pointed to the decentralized structure as challenging unified leadership and accountability, and have raised questions about fundraising practices and messaging. Proponents view BLM as a catalyst for accountability, reform, and broader social change. The movement remains a significant reference in conversations about race and justice in the United States and beyond.