What 3 Years Of 'Black Lives Matter' Means, In 11 Powerful Tweets

Three years ago today, Black Lives Matter was founded as an effort to speak out against injustice and police violence. Since that time, it has grown into a modern day civil rights movement dedicated to reaffirming the value of black lives.

It began in 2012 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin, a black teenager. Activists took to the streets and social media to protest the decision with the phrase “Black Lives Matter” echoing through Twitter and cities around the country.

Since 2012, the movement has grown and inspired large numbers of people to take a stand against inequality and injustice.

Black Lives Matter, however, is not without its critics. From news hosts to politicians to Twitter users, Black Lives Matter has been criticized for “inciting violence” against police and attempting to start a “race war.”

There is also an effort to co-opt and derail the movement by rebutting Black Lives Matter with “All Lives Matter,” a response that has been widely criticized as missing the point.

To celebrate the movement’s anniversary, a major Black Lives Matter Twitter asked, “In a world where #BlackLivesMatter, what do you imagine?”...
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/07/13/3797942/3-years-black-lives-matter-means-11-powerful-tweets/