Black Lives Matter facts for kids
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| Formation | July 13, 2013 |
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| Type | Activist organization |
| Purpose | Anti-racist advocacy and protest |
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Key people
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Black Lives Matter (BLM) can refer to a Twitter hashtag, a slogan, a social movement, a political action committee, or a loose confederation of groups advocating for racial justice. As an international activist group, BLM originated in the African-American community. They are against violence and racism toward black people.
The movement began in 2013 with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter on social media, after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin. They became famous for their street demonstrations, following the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. The earlier sparked riots and unrest in Ferguson, Missouri. The latter sparked protests all over the United States.
Since the Ferguson protests, participants of Black Lives Matter have demonstrated against other African-Americans' deaths, like Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland, Laquan McDonald, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling.
The movement returned to national headlines during the George Floyd protests.
Contents
Strategies and tactics
Black Lives Matter originally used various social media platforms—including hashtag activism—to reach thousands of people rapidly. Since then, Black Lives Matter has embraced a diversity of tactics. Black Lives Matter protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful.
Nobel Peace Prize nomination
Black Lives Matter was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in January 2021. The nomination was submitted by Norwegian activist and Member of Parliament Petter Eide. The award eventually went to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov.
"All Lives Matter"
The phrase "All Lives Matter" sprang up as a response to the Black Lives Matter movement, shortly after the movement gained national attention. Several notable individuals have supported All Lives Matter. Its proponents include Senator Tim Scott. NFL cornerback Richard Sherman supports the All Lives Matter message, saying "I stand by what I said that All Lives Matter and that we are human beings."
Images for kids
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A Black Lives Matter die-in over rail tracks, protesting alleged police brutality in Saint Paul, Minnesota (September 20, 2015)
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Black Lives Matter protest on September 20, 2015, against police brutality in St. Paul, Minnesota
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A "Hands up!" sign displayed at a Ferguson protest in August 2014
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Black Lives Matter demonstration in Oakland, California, December 2014
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Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C., as seen from space on June 8, 2020
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Protest in Brisbane, June 6, 2020
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Protest in Vancouver, May 31, 2020
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Demonstration at Christiansborg Slotsplads, Copenhagen, June 7, 2020
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Black Lives Matter protest in Berlin, Germany, May 30, 2020
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Protest in Fukuoka, June 21, 2020
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Black Lives Matter protest in Auckland, June 14, 2020
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Protest at St. Nicholas Church in Brighton, June 3, 2020
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Protest outside the U.S. Embassy in London, June 7, 2020
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The empty pedestal of the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol. Subject to increasing controversy since the 1990s, when his prior reputation as a philanthropist came under scrutiny due to a growing awareness of his slave trading, in June 2020 the statue was toppled, defaced and pushed into Bristol Harbour.
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Bern Machine with a BLM sticker, September 18, 2015
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Bernie Sanders and Black Lives Matter activists in Westlake Park, Seattle, August 8, 2015
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"What happened to 'All Lives Matter'?" sign at a protest against Donald Trump, January 29, 2017
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A BLM protest in Ohio, July 2020
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See also
In Spanish: Black Lives Matter para niños
