TRENDING

Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old black teen from Florida, was walking back to his dad's fiancée's house from a convenience store when he was killed by George Zimmerman in 2012.

Zimmerman claimed that he only acted in self-defense, and was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter. As a result of his acquittal, the #BlackLivesMatter movement was founded with the mission to eradicate violence against black communities.

Fast forward to 2020, and the injustices have not stopped.

Just in the past few months alone, Tony McDade and Breonna Taylor were killed by police, and Ahmaud Arbery was murdered by two white men while out for a jog. After George Floyd was suffocated to death by police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, protests broke out worldwide in a collective fight against racial injustice.

Among the protestors in the past several days were Halsey, John Boyega, Harry Styles and Ariana Grande. All of the stars — plus many, many others — have taken #BlackLivesMatter to their broad platforms to share resources, make donations and walk in solidarity with black communities.

While celebrities have been able to draw needed attention to the fights, hundrends of thousands of people around the globe are also fighting to demand justice for black lives. Finally, on June 3, Chauvin's charge moved from third-degree to second-degree murder—and the other three involved officers in Floyd's death were charged. 

The protests may be dimishing, but the fight doesn't end here. There is justice to be demanded for every other black person who has suffered because of racism.

Certainly marching peacefully is one way to take action for racial justice, but there is so much more to do. Find resources, donation links, petitions to sign and more ways to get involved with the movement (including ways to support protestors) here.

by Logan Potter | 6/4/2020