Perspectives From the Protests

On February 26, 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally shot while visiting relatives in a gated community in Sanford, Florida. After the acquittal of the gunman in 2013, activists began discussing fatal discrimination against Black Americans on Twitter, using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. The hashtag later became a rallying cry in Ferguson, Missouri, during protests against police brutality in the wake of Michael Brown’s death. Over nearly a decade, the wrongful deaths of Black Americans have become increasingly visible, the list of victims’ names growing exponentially as protesters demand that we remember them. Social media platforms have become a central tool in documenting racial violence and organizing demonstrations to bring awareness. Since the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, which was recorded by witnesses and shared on Twitter, the Black Lives Matter movement has grown to be the largest movement in United States history.

This exhibit features images and videos documenting demonstrations from the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, following the death of George Floyd, which have resulted in widespread discussion on race relations in the United States and globally. 

This exhibit encompasses three themes (sections) related to BLM protests. To view each section, navigate through the small menu located on the right side of the page.