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When videos of George Floyds killing in the US went viral last year, something world-changing happened: a movement fighting against structural injustice became internationally visible.

While statistics in America and Australia have long shown disproportionate numbers of Black deaths in police custody, too often these numbers have been obscured through institutional counter-claims.

But on May 25, 2020, nine minutes and 29 seconds of footage transformed the rules about what makes news news. Floyds killing convinced journalists that a story can tackle the root causes of a violent action, and doing so is crucial to understanding the broader framework of violence in which such actions occur.

Those few minutes made it impossible for others to re-write the history of Floyds death: his murder as a product of systemic violence was unambiguous.

Read more: Pain of police killings ripples outward to traumatize Black people and communities across US

When #BlackLivesMatter (BLM) began, it insisted on a conversation that reached into Americas racist past to explain atrocities in the present.

Its power lies in this deeper engagement with systemic issues, amplified through the capacity of social media to reach wider audiences. One example is citizen support for actions defacing public statues of slave traders and colonisers, which have been recognised as symbols of exclusionary and violent national cultures.

Now, the tenets of BLM are amplifying the struggles of Palestinians and making them more visible and understandable to a global audience.

Just as BLM is forcing a reckoning with systemic racism, there is new attention being paid to the origins of the Palestinians struggles: settler-colonialism, asymmetric power relations and racial discrimination.

This is central to explaining why public opinion and the medias reporting on Palestine have shifted profoundly in recent weeks.

This shift can be seen with the #SaveSheikhJarrah campaign on social media, which aimed to bring greater attention to the attempted expulsions of Palestinians from their homes in a neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem, Sheikh Jarrah.

The campaign created new awareness of the context behind these actions, in part triggered by a widely shared video on social media depicting a Jewish settler telling a Palestinian resident, If I dont steal your home someone else will steal it.

This repudiates Israels insistence the broader conflict between Israel and the Palestinians be relegated to the past. The context around the expulsions has become inseparable from the violence itself, making history central to the present crisis.

Read more: Israel-Palestinian violence: why East Jerusalem has become a flashpoint in a decades-old conflict

This new style of messaging has also elevated the voices of people like writer Mohammed El-Kurd, one of the spokespeople for the campaign, who has appeared on major American news outlets describing the issue in terms of settler-colonialism and apartheid. After interviews on CNN and MSBNC, he was detained by Israeli security forces.

El-Kurd previously told his story in the 2012 documentary about Sheikh Jarrah, My Neighbourhood, at the age of 11. His articulate explanations and poise in interviews have resonated with audiences, bringing new clarity to millions about the situation Palestinians face.

Through all of this, Israels claim of self-defence to explain its actions in Gaza is being challenged by a wider recognition of the governments violations of international law.

Just as BLM has garnered increasing public support beyond the African American community in the past year, a broader alliance of prominent voices is rallying behind the Palestinian cause, as well.

The Black Lives Movement itself has tweeted its support for Palestinian liberation and ending settler colonialism in all forms.

And Palestinians are finding support from a wide spectrum of political figures, celebrities, athletes and other prominent individuals, wising up to the contradiction of progressive politics that exclude Palestine.

The alt-rock band Garbage, who rejected calls to cancel shows in Israel in 2016, have now used Instagram to support the Palestinians. Another band, Rage Against the Machine, has dismissed criticism from some fans to express its solidarity with Palestinians.

Many prominent figures have avoided wading into politics in the past because they can face a backlash when they do and dont speak out on issues. But theres a greater willingness among some to be more vocal on these issues now, a choice that parallels the ethical questions raised by BLM.

In a recent Instagram Live post with El-Kurd, actor and model Indya Moore, for instance, talked about the importance of solidarity between African Americans, Palestinians and Indigenous peoples in their mutual struggles against settler-colonialism and systemic racism.

In the UK, soccer players from Manchester United and Leicester City displayed Palestinian flags on the field after matches and [faced not disciplinary action but applause].

This is striking because not long ago, athletes were threatened with punishments for taking political stands such as kneeling during the national anthem before football games in the US. BLM has changed this it allowed those with a public platform to advocate on behalf of others without fear of recriminations.

The latest ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seems to be holding. But there is a growing recognition ceasefires and calm are not the end of the story in a situation that has dragged on for decades.

The calls for change are continuing. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said after the ceasefire its time for the root causes of the conflict to be addressed. And Palestinian solidarity rallies have seen huge turnouts since the ceasefire went into effect.

Read more: As the Palestinian minority takes to the streets, Israel is having its own Black Lives Matter moment

All these changes owe a debt to the impact BLM has had on public understanding, combined with the success of First Nations peoples nothing about us without us campaign on representation. This has forced the issue in Australia, highlighting the systemic bias of media coverage that ignores Palestinian voices.

However, change will not only require the sustained efforts by Palestinian people themselves, but also through the deep-rooted solidarity they have forged with other marginalised communities. That work continues.

Original post:
How Black Lives Matter is changing the conversation on Palestine - The Conversation AU

It was a year ago when Rahul Dubey opened his door on Swann Street to Garrett Reaves, Jorge Fuentes and around 60 people, all strangers, while they were protesting against police brutality and systemic racism.

Tuesday they reunited.

Weve been a collective since June 1 last year, marking our one year anniversary today, Dubey said.

A News4 viewer shared video of crowds trying to avoid police officers who were enforcing a 6 p.m. curfew on that day.

They started moving in, beating people with clubs, pepper spraying, Reaves recalled. And [Dubey] was one of the few people on the street that opened his door.

One demonstrator shot another video showing protesters coughing from mace they said police were spraying.

Protesters waited inside Dubeys house overnight, avoiding arrest and finally walking out at 6 a.m. once the curfew was lifted.

Rahul helped us that night by opening his door and allowing us to come together for whats right, Reaves said.

Today marks one year since a peaceful protest at Lafayette Square ended with law enforcement using tear gas to clear protesters. Later, President Trump would pose for a photo with a Bible outside St. John's Church. News4's Cory Smith has more.

Police made dozens of arrests that night. Former D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham denied the alleged police brutality.

I saw absolute terror and atrocities raining down upon them as well as others on Swann Street, Dubey said.

They share in the struggle to make sure people understand that Black Lives Matter in hopes of having equality for all and bringing an end to racism in America.

[Reuniting with Reeves and Fuentes is] an honor. I feel a lot of love, Dubey said. The struggle continues on, and we work together.

See original here:
Protesters Reunite With Man Who Sheltered Them From Arrest at Black Lives Matter Protest - NBC4 Washington

Regarding As 1-year anniversary of death nears, Third Ward park named after George Floyd, (May 23): I agree 100 percent with this article and the honoring of George Floyd. Hopefully his death will help our country trend in a better direction. We should not fear the police. They are here to protect us. The park should remain as a symbol of how we are willing to fight for justice for Black lives now and forever.

Steven Shields, Houston

Party of distraction

Regarding Majority in GOP ready to move on from riot, (A3, May 28): As I read the morning paper it seems to me that Republicans in Texas and nationally are sharpening their skills as the party of distraction. In Texas the party is embroiled in fights over legalizing unlicensed gun carry and keeping transgender women students from participating in sports. Meanwhile the real business of the state goes by the wayside. The Republican leadership in Congress plays down the importance of establishing a commission to discover the leaders of the lawless mob that invaded the United States Capitol killing a Capitol policeman and maiming others. But neither Sens. Ted Cruz nor John Cornyn seem capable of admitting the seriousness of the events of Jan. 6 nor the truth of what my eyes saw captured on camera. My only recourse was my vote but now they are attempting to even take away or limit that right.

Jere Pfister, Houston

Protecting liberty

Regarding Abbott bans mask rules, (A1, May 19): Even though fully vaccinated, I will continue to wear a mask in public buildings because I believe in science and have a genuine desire to help my family and my community. Even though I could go without a mask, I see the value in protecting those around me (who either cannot be vaccinated yet or are immunocompromised) from any airborne contagion. Many of us have grandchildren who are too young to be vaccinated. Many of us have elderly parents who even though vaccinated have benefited from a flu-free year. Many of us have family members who have serious diseases and would be endangered even catching a cold. Many of us go to stores and confront workers who must interact with hundreds of people a day. By making this very small sacrifice we are protecting the liberties of others, in other words, the liberty of those other people to engage in the world around them and stay healthy.

Kitty Kenyon, Katy

Read more:
Opinion: Black lives matter now and forever - Houston Chronicle

Angela Moschetta in May was one of the Parkites in attendance online as Mayor Andy Beerman and the Park City Council met in a two-day retreat, an opportunity for the elected officials to talk broadly about key issues without the pressure of a typical meeting when votes must be cast.

The mayor and City Council addressed the overarching issues confronting the community, including the ideal of social equity. It is a priority for City Hall and designed to ensure the diverse tapestry of the communitys population has an opportunity to thrive.

The discussion eventually moved to comments about a series of giant murals with social justice themes that were put on the Main Street asphalt last summer, including one with a Black Lives Matter message. The murals quickly became polarizing and were vandalized shortly after they were made. The works and the vandalism spurred widespread discussion about race in the community that has stretched for nearly a year. There were also questions at the time about the City Hall process that led to the creation of the murals and whether the project was properly publicized prior to the works appearing.

The elected officials at the retreat spoke about the topic, but Moschetta provided notable input as well. She was especially direct as she addressed the mayor and City Council, indicating that Black people were not involved in the planning of the murals. She said the artist who created the Black Lives Matter mural is not Black.

You have chosen to not involve these people. You have chosen to make decisions as white people, to turn to other white people. Anybody with any kind of curatorial experience would have known what was going on that street, would have known about the potential political implications, Moschetta said during the retreat.

She added that City Hall did not involve any of these people in the discussion before that you could have and that the Park City Police Department could have been alerted to the murals prior to their creation.

Moschetta also mentioned two members of the City Council by name Tim Henney and Max Doilney as she spoke about the controversy. The mayor intervened after Moschetta mentioned Doilney by name, abruptly stopping her comments.

Hey, Angela, Angela, Angela, were not going to tolerate personal attacks here, so if you want to keep it broad level, youre welcome to, Beerman told her.

Moschetta responded by saying she was addressing what she saw as a lack of process regarding the murals. Beerman then ended her comments.

Angela, Im sorry, I asked you not to be personal, you continue it. Were cutting you off, he said.

Moschetta in recent years has become an activist who has addressed topics like the trademark controversy centered on the name Park City, the Treasure dispute and City Halls plans to develop an arts and culture district. She has both praised and criticized the municipal government. She is seen as the leader of a group known as Future Park City. Moschetta is a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The tense moment between Moschetta and the mayor that ended with Beerman stopping her comments highlighted the contentiousness of the topic of social equity in a community that is largely white with Latinos being the only racial minority inside Park City in any significant number. It also showed there is lingering controversy regarding the murals months after time, traffic and the elements left the works unintelligible.

Beerman provided a prepared statement regarding the matter in response to a Park Record inquiry.

Public input is always welcome and encouraged, but it is expected to be civil and topical, he said. Recently one of our residents was muted after making personal attacks and disrupting an otherwise constructive discussion. She was given a chance to re-frame her statements but chose not to, so we moved forward with the meeting. Following the discussion, all of Council showed their support for my decision.

In a later interview, Moschetta said it is concerning that, according to her, Park City leaders have recently attempted to discredit, dismiss and undermine public comment and dissenting opinions.

Its the opposite of democracy, Moschetta said.

Read the original:
Park City mayor, in tense moment, cuts off activist as Black Lives Matter mural returns to forefront - The Park Record

Black Lives Matter Movement

In 2013, three female Black organizers Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi created a Black-centered political will and movement building project calledBlack Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter beganwith a social media hashtag, #BlackLivesMatter, after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martinback in 2012. The movement grew nationallyin 2014 after the deaths of Michael Brown in Missouri and Eric Garner in New York. Since then it has established itself as a worldwidemovement, particularly after the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, MN. Most recently, #Black Lives Matter has spearheaded demonstrations worldwide protesting police brutality and systematic racism that overwhelmingly effects the Black community.

According to the Black Lives Matterwebsite theywere "founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martins murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives."

BLM's #WhatMatters2020 Campaign: This 2020 Election-focused campaign focuses on promoting voter registration "among Millennials, Generation Z, the Black community, and allies" and education voters about a wide range of issues including "racial injustice, police brutality, criminal justice reform, Black immigration, economic injustice, LGBTQIA+ and human rights, environmental injustice, access to healthcare, access to quality education, and voting rights and suppression."

Local BLM Chapters: Local chapters of BLM in many areas of the country, including theDMV,have their own social media accounts to facilitate engagement in civil action close to home.

Follow Black Lives Matter onTwitter,FacebookandInstagram

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The Black Lives Matter Movement - A Brief History of Civil ...