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June 26, 2024

How Has the Black Lives Matter Movement Brought Attention to Police Brutality?

Written by Pointer & Buelna, LLP. Lawyers For The People, reviewed by Adanté Pointer

The Black Lives Matter movement started as a social media hashtag in 2013 in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for killing an unarmed Black teenager named Trayvon Martin. The Black Lives Matter movement has had a profound impact on bringing attention to the issue of police brutality. Keep reading to understand how has the black lives matter movement brought attention to police brutality nowadays.

Our police brutality lawyers stay on top of all developments in the movement and how it affects police brutality and resulting legal action in California and across the U.S.

The Undeniable Power of Smartphone Videos

One of the main ways in which the Black Lives Matter movement has brought attention to police brutality is by recording undisputed proof of Black people being beaten and abused by police officers. Without fast, easy, accessible smartphone video, notorious cases of police brutality like George Floyd, Korryn Gaines, Eric Garner, and Sandra Bland might not have made the news. Videos of out-and-out police brutality like these have made it impossible to look away from the systemic racism in local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Public Opinion Has Changed, Policymakers Followed

In recent years, the Pew Research Center found that more than half of white people viewed police officer-involved shootings of Black people as a sign of a deeper, larger problem. This development has created a policy push at every level of government to address the racism in the law enforcement and criminal justice systems. 54% of white people acknowledge this racism is definitely a pivotal step forward.

The Black Lives Matter movement has played a critical role in pressuring policymakers to make long-overdue changes. Some of these changes include dash and body cameras for beat cops, mandatory implicit bias training, and ending deadly “no-knock” search warrants. 

The Financial Burden of Police Brutality

The Washington Post discovered that in a ten-year period the 25 biggest police departments across the country made roughly 40,000 payouts for misconduct costing the taxpayers $3.2 billion. In one six-month period, the New York Police Department, for example, spent over $50 million on police brutality settlements. Black Lives Matter has played a significant role in shedding light on these amounts. Taxpayers should not have to pay for law-breaking law enforcers.

Demanding Accountability

Protests have also brought attention to cities like Baltimore, Ferguson, Louisville, and Minneapolis, where police brutality incidents are high. These cities all faced federal oversight as a result of the BLM movement. This increased scrutiny has pressured these cities to take action in creating new policies and getting rid of outdated ones. In a nutshell, the BLM movement has demanded accountability and transparency, and, in large part, they have made advances in these areas.

Better Research and Politicians

Researchers, police departments, and the US government have been motivated to improve their data collection methods and study the impact of different policing practices. This research is critical to making life-saving reforms. Black Lives Matter has affected elected officials who are publicly advocating for racial justice and fair policing. The movement has inspired more marginalized people to run for office and fight for systemic change.

Need a California Police Brutality Lawyer?

At Pointer and Buelna, LLP: Lawyers For The People, our dedicated team of California police brutality lawyers handles cases like yours. Your story deserves to be heard, and we are here to stand behind you in this fight.

To schedule a free case review and legal consultation, contact us now.