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Black Lives Matter

Nov 17, 2020 | Angel Idowu
Chicago-based artist and architect Amanda Williams. (WTTW News)

We explore the latest exhibition from Amanda Williams which responds to the social media trend Blackout Tuesday, in which Instagram users posted black squares to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Oct 31, 2020 | Associated Press
In this June 24, 2020, file photo, Antonio Mingo, right, holds his fists in the air as demonstrators protest in front of a police line on a section of 16th Street that’s been renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza, in Washington. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Black Lives Matter has been a lot of things in its brief, fiery life. It has been a slogan, a rallying point. A movement that led protests coast to coast. A heaven-sent resource. Now, BLM’s influence faces a test.

Aug 27, 2020 | Associated Press
In this July 13, 2020, file photo, a black lives matter mural is visible in the Shaw neighborhood in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik, File)

Black Lives Matter activists are holding their first Black National Convention on Friday, a virtual event that will adopt a political agenda calling for slavery reparations, universal basic income, environmental justice and criminal justice reform.

Jul 30, 2020 | Associated Press
This image provided by Tara Abrahams shows her Instagram post with the #challengeaccepted joining female users across the United States, flooding the photo-sharing app with black-and-white images. The official goal: a show of support for other women. Abrahams, the philanthropic advisor from New York added a caption encouraging people to check their voter registration status and make a plan to vote in November. (Tara Abrahams via AP)

To some, #challengeaccepted represents a clear example of “slacktivism” — campaigns based on social platforms that require little effort of participants. There’s no donation requested, no volunteer shift required, just a few minutes to post a message or image that people are unlikely to fight over.

Nov 11, 2019 | Brandis Friedman
Aislinn Pulley of Black Lives Matter Chicago says the group has a number of problems with Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s appointment of an interim police superintendent. (WTTW News)

As former Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck prepares to take over the top job at the Chicago Police Department – at least temporarily – his appointment is sparking criticism. What activists have to say.

Jun 14, 2017 | Amanda Vinicky

A class-action “use of force” lawsuit seeks a federal crackdown on the Chicago Police Department.

Mar 31, 2017 | Kristen Thometz
(Ervin A. Johnson)

“I hope that when black people look at it they see how powerful and beautiful we are despite everything that’s happened to us,” said artist Ervin A. Johnson.

Nov 11, 2016 | Matt Masterson

School officials cited student safety concerns in canceling classes Friday after the local Black Lives Matter chapter had scheduled a protest nearby.

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Aug 2, 2016 | Reuben Unrau

Just days before the two-year anniversary of the police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, that sparked protests nationwide, the Movement for Black Lives has released an official platform that outlines its demands.

'Civil War to Civil Rights' Covers More than 200 Years

Feb 8, 2016 | Eddie Arruza

From Jean Baptiste DuSable to Black Lives Matter, the new exhibit "Civil War to Civil Rights" traces the history of struggles and triumphs of Chicago's African-American community.