July 13
On July 13, 2013, The phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ first appeared.
Alicia Garza is the woman behind the popular, controversial and thought provoking phrase “black lives matter.” After the acquittal of George Zimmerman in 2013, Garza took to Facebook to unload her feelings, posting what she called “a love letter to black people.” In the “love letter” she expressed her sadness and frustration with the social climate and lack of justice for Trayvon Martin, writing “I continue to be surprised at how little Black lives matter.” The phrase sparked a nationwide social justice movement which led to the creation of many activist organizations including Black Lives Matter.
Today the phrase has been used in the advocacy of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmad Arbery, Sandra Bland and so many others who have lost their lives as a result of racial injustice.
Sources
How Black Lives Matter went from a hashtag to a global rallying cry
The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter first appears, sparking a movement
The Black Blog 