Black Lives Matter Is A National Movement Created In 2012 To Fight Anti-Black Racism
“Black Lives Matter is a chapter-based national organization working for the validity of Black life” with the objective of building “connections between Black people and our allies to fight anti-Black racism, to spark dialogue among Black people, and to facilitate the types of connections necessary to encourage social action and engagement.”
The movement was founded in 2012 by Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi, and Alicia Garza after the murder of Trayvon Martin.
More than 35 chapters exist across the United States (plus one in Canada), with no formal governance structure. Most chapters focus on organized, peaceful rallies and protests.
The Black Lives Matter movement is not aligned to any specific candidate or political party, and have protested Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and President Trump.