Black Lives Matter Movement Marks 10 Years, Renews Call to Defund the Police
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement is celebrating a significant milestone as it marks 10 years since its founding in 2013. The movement emerged in response to the acquittal of the man who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in a Florida gated community in 2012. Martin’s tragic death served as an early symbol of a movement that has since gained influence in politics, law enforcement, and conversations about racial progress both in the United States and beyond.
To commemorate the 10-year anniversary, BLM activists and organizations have planned a series of in-person and virtual events. One of the key focuses of these events is a renewed push to defund police departments and reinvest in Black communities that have disproportionately suffered from police brutality, unequal treatment in the criminal justice system, and mass incarceration.
With recent Supreme Court decisions hindering relief from student loan debt for Black borrowers and banning affirmative action in higher education, the need for the Black Lives Matter movement is more apparent than ever. Prominent activist Melina Abdullah emphasizes the importance of redoubling efforts and commitment to fighting for the equality and justice of Black lives.
In Los Angeles, the #BLMTurns10 People’s Justice Festival will be held in the historic neighborhood of Leimert Park. The festival aims to create a sense of community and will feature a pop-up garden dedicated to the families of victims killed by police and white supremacist violence. Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother, has been invited to speak at the festival, while scholar and activist Dr. Cornel West will deliver the keynote address.
The BLM movement gained momentum in 2013 following George Zimmerman’s acquittal for Martin’s murder. Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, claimed self-defense when he shot Martin, a Black teenager whom he had profiled as a potential burglar. The delay in arresting and charging Zimmerman raised concerns about how police handle suspected acts of vigilantism against Black victims. Former President Barack Obama highlighted these concerns when he stated, If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.
The initial decentralized organization of BLM, governed by consensus, was later restructured to accommodate the movement’s growth. An influx of donations in 2020, in response to protests over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, emphasized the need for increased infrastructure within BLM.
To mark the 10-year anniversary, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation has launched the Defund the Police Week of Action campaign. The foundation released a digital ad renewing calls to defund police departments, urging elected officials to focus on people rather than police. The campaign also encourages supporters to ask for the establishment of Black Lives Matter Day on July 13 through draft proclamations at local and national levels.
As the Black Lives Matter movement reaches this significant milestone, it continues to fight for the equitable treatment and fair representation of Black communities. The movement’s influence in politics, law enforcement, and the broader conversation about racial progress serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice. With a renewed call to defund the police and invest in marginalized communities, the movement aims to create a society where safety is achieved through economic opportunities, quality education, stable housing, and accessible healthcare for all.
