Blue Lives Matter
Blue Lives Matter is a pro-police movement that was started to counter Black Lives Matter after the killings of NYPD officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu in Brooklyn, New York, on December 20, 2014, after they were ambushed in their patrol car.
Founding organizations[edit]
Blue Lives Matter: On December 20, 2014, in the wake of the killings of officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, a group of law enforcement officers formed Blue Lives Matter as a media company to counter media reports that are perceived to be anti-police.[1][2] Blue Lives Matter is made up of active and retired law enforcement officers. The current national spokesman for Blue Lives Matter is retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lieutenant Randy Sutton.[3]
Blue Lives Matter NYC: Originating in New York City in December 2014, Blue Lives Matter NYC,[4] is an organization and current nationwide movement that was created in efforts to help law enforcement officers and their families during their times of need. This movement began in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. Sergeant Joey Imperatrice felt "compelled to show support for his brothers and sisters in blue" and handed out bracelets that stated Blue Lives Matter NYC.[4] He decided to create an organization which became the non-profit Blue Lives Matter NYC. This BLM organization's mission is to raise awareness and encourage public aid for the needs of police officers, to help police officers assist one another, and to provide a police officer's family with comfort and support as they go through hard times.[4] This campaign is designed to raise both awareness and money for the families in need. In order to increase awareness nationwide, over three hundred billboards have been posted with the slogan "Blue Lives Matter". Many of these billboards are also accompanied by the hashtag #thankublu, a hashtag many individuals use to show their support for police officers.[5]
Criticism[edit]
Groups such as Black Lives Matter see this as a way to suppress their movement,[citation needed] which is all about finding a way to end police brutality against the African American community.[citation needed] Much criticism has risen through the idea of Blue Lives Matter mocking the idea of Black Lives Matter.[citation needed] Much talk is been spreading through media of Blue Lives Matter speaking out against the Black Lives Matter, masking and speaking over them in a way.[citation needed] Some feel as if they are saying the cops are more important than the public, leading to much controversy.[6][7][8]
Notable protests and demonstrations[edit]
In September 2015, over 100 Los Angeles police officers joined other members of the community to participate in a rally in Hollywood to show support for all the hard work and good actions performed by the police officers.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ "Blue Lives Matter". Blue Lives Matter. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ^ "Blue Lives Matter Facebook". Blue Lives Matter Facebook. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ^ Newsome, John. "'Blue lives matter' bill set for Louisiana governor's signature". CNN. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ^ a b c "Blue Lives Matter NYC website". Blue Lives Matter NYC. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
- ^ Logan, Bryan. "Billboards proclaiming 'Blue Lives Matter' are popping up around the country". Business Insider. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
- ^ Dokoupil, Tony. "'Blue Lives Matter' billboards spark controversy". MSNBC. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ^ Gleeson, Cailey. "'Blue Lives Matter' raises support and concerns". Quad-Cities Online. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ Brenzing, Bob; Chicklas, Dana. "Blue Lives Matter: Billboards honoring police get charged reaction". Fox 17. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ "Police, Supporters Hold 'Blue Lives Matter' Rally in Hollywood". KTLA.com. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
