The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement began in 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager. Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi co-founded the movement using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter to raise awareness about police violence and racial injustice. The hashtag quickly spread, evolving into a global movement advocating for the end of systemic racism and injustice against Black people.
The movement gained significant momentum in 2014 after the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York City. Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, was shot by a police officer, sparking widespread protests under the slogan “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot.” Garner, who died after being put in a chokehold by a police officer, had his final words—“I can’t breathe”—become a powerful rallying cry for the movement.
These incidents, along with the killing of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old shot by police in Cleveland, highlighted the systemic violence faced by Black Americans and amplified the call for justice. BLM expanded from a social media hashtag to organized protests across the U.S., raising awareness of police brutality, racial profiling, and the need for criminal justice reform.
The movement quickly gained international attention. In 2015, BLM activists traveled to the UK to support campaigns against police violence. In 2016, the movement spread to countries like Canada, Australia, and France, as people around the world expressed solidarity with Black Americans and addressed their own struggles with police violence and racial inequality.
Public figures like Beyoncé and Colin Kaepernick helped amplify the movement’s message. Kaepernick’s 2016 protest—kneeling during the national anthem to protest police violence—sparked widespread attention, solidifying the movement’s reach beyond the U.S. and resonating with global audiences facing similar racial injustices.
BLM’s influence on public policy has been significant. The movement has pushed for reforms in law enforcement, such as body cameras for police officers, independent investigations into police misconduct, and the ending of practices like stop-and-frisk. In 2015, BLM helped create Campaign Zero, a set of proposals aimed at reducing police violence and promoting accountability.
The movement has also spurred broader societal conversations about systemic racism, including mass incarceration, voter suppression, and racial inequality in education and healthcare. It has pressured governments, universities, and corporations to address racial disparities and commit to diversity and inclusion.
The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May 2020 brought the BLM movement to unprecedented global prominence. Floyd’s death, captured on video, reignited widespread protests demanding justice. The protests led to calls for defunding the police, reforming the criminal justice system, and reallocating resources to Black communities.
BLM’s message spread beyond the U.S., inspiring demonstrations in cities around the world. The movement sparked a global conversation on racial justice, leading to widespread public acknowledgment of systemic racism and inspiring movements in other countries to address their own issues of racial inequality and police violence.
Despite its progress, the fight for racial justice is far from over. The Black Lives Matter movement continues to advocate for meaningful policy changes, including an overhaul of policing practices, reforms to the criminal justice system, and the end of systemic inequality in areas such as education, housing, and employment. While there have been victories, such as changes in police practices and greater public awareness, BLM’s work is ongoing.
The movement remains a powerful force for social change, advocating for a future in which Black lives are treated with dignity, justice, and equality. Through activism, education, and community organizing, BLM continues to fight for a world free from racial oppression. The legacy of the movement will endure as long as racial injustice persists, and the struggle for equality remains vital in shaping the future.