“Blue lives matter” used to smear Black Lives Matter movement
The renewed protests following the deaths of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in St. Paul, Minnesota — the largest national surge of anti-police violence activism in over a year — represent a much-needed return to the streets. But the chorus of official voices calling for “respectful dialogue” will be used to drown out our cries for justice and accountability. The celebration of police officers who “put their lives on the line” will be used to downplay the injustice of a system built on racism, repression and violence.