#BlackLivesMatter
Movement and hashtag fighting systemic racism and police brutality against Black Americans.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Created | 2013 (Trayvon Martin case) |
| Peak | 2015, 2020 (George Floyd) |
| Founders | Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi |
| Impact | Global racial justice movement |
Origin & Impact
While created in 2013, #BlackLivesMatter became a dominant force in 2015 as protests erupted over police killings of Black Americans—Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland. The hashtag organized protests, shared evidence, and challenged systemic racism. Baltimore protests after Freddie Gray’s death brought national attention.
#BlackLivesMatter sparked intense debate, with critics creating #AllLivesMatter and #BlueLivesMatter counter-movements. The 2020 George Floyd murder brought unprecedented scale and global spread. BLM became one of the most significant civil rights movements in American history, influencing policy, culture, corporate behavior, and international activism.