Herstory Video: History of The Black Lives Matter Movement

"In 2013, three radical Black organizers — Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi — created a Black-centered political will and movement building project called #BlackLivesMatter. It was in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman."

Author:

Duane Townsend

Publish date:

Sep 11, 2020

COURTESY OF PATRISSE CULLORS; HANK WILLIS THOMAS/COURTESY OF OPAL TOMETI; KRISTIN LITTLE/COURTESY OF ALICIA GARZA

"As #BlackLivesMatter developed throughout 2013 and 2014, we utilized it as a platform and organizing tool. Other groups, organizations, and individuals used it to amplify anti-Black racism across the country, in all the ways it showed up. Tamir Rice, Tanisha Anderson, Mya Hall, Walter Scott, Sandra Bland — these names are inherently important. The space that #BlackLivesMatter held and continues to hold helped propel the conversation around the state-sanctioned violence they experienced. We particularly highlighted the egregious ways in which Black women, specifically Black trans women, are violated. #BlackLivesMatter was developed in support of all Black lives."

- Black Lives Matter - Herstory