This is only the beginning. 2015 has come and gone, but activists are continuing to demand accountability and justice. The police killings of Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Jamar Clark, Mario Woods, Ezell Ford, Laquan McDonald, Rekia Boyd, John Crawford and many more shook up the nation. As a result, ‘Shut it down’ has become a regular chant in the Black Lives Matter movement. Throughout the year, BLM has orchestrated successful campaigns of civil disobedience.
On December 23, peaceful demonstrations were carried out in Minneapolis (Mall of America, Airport & Rail system); Los Angeles (The 405 freeway); Bay Area (The 101 highway). On Christmas Eve, activists and concerned citizens disrupted shoppers on the ‘Magnificent Mile’ in Chicago. Similar protests occurred on Black Friday in November after the Laquan McDonald video was released. Black Lives Matter activists understand that civil disobedience coupled with financial disruption promotes change. Expect more of the same in 2016. No justice. No profit. No justice. No peace.
MSP airport is shut down #BlackXmas pic.twitter.com/iKAkjevBxJ
— Black Lives MPLS (@BlackLivesMpls) December 23, 2015