"The End of A New Beginning" By: Vanessa Angeles

      On the night of February 26, 2012 a crime that would lead to one of the most controversial movements in the U.S was committed. Trayvon Benjamin Martin was shot and killed ,with no weapons with him, in Sanford, Florida, by George Michael Zimmerman, who was on neighborhood watch. George Michael Zimmerman was charged with second degree murder of the death of 17 year old Trayvon Benjamin Martin. In the police file report Zimmerman stated that everything was self defense and gave details as to why. He said that he shot Trayvon because “Trayvon knocked him down with a punch to the nose, repeatedly slammed his head on the ground, and tried to take his gun.” After 16 hours of a long careful consideration, over the course of two days, on July 13, 2013,  Zimmerman’s verdict declared that he was innocent. This was the end of the new beginning of one of the most well known movements worldwide.

         About a year later on July 13, 2013 three activists, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, decided to take action. They came up with the Black Lives Matter movement. This social movement became international around the U.S. One of the BLM founders, Patrisse Cullors, explained what change they want to see, in an interview she states, “We’re trying to change the world… developing a new vision for what this generation of black  leaders can look like.” Their purpose wasn’t to only end police brutality and systematic racism but to give basic human rights back to the african american community. The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter became a social trend. Although many people had different reactions towards the organization. The phrase “All Lives Matter” became popular. Some say it was in a way a response to the Black Lives Matter movement along with the “Blue Lives Matter” which was created by supporters of the police. Until this day there are still protest created by the Black Lives Matter organization.