Black Lives Matter Logo PNG
The exercise of constitutional rights and compliance with laws requires the Black Lives Matter logo. Governments must protect blacks without prejudice. The main message of the emblem is the struggle for truth. The government will have to hear the protesters.
Black Lives Matter: Brand overview
| Founded: | 2013–present |
| Headquarters: | International, largely in the United States |
Meaning and History
Expressions of dissatisfaction with police action and impunity initially spilled over into local protests. But with each new case of violent deaths of representatives of the dark-skinned race, it acquired an increasingly large-scale character and went beyond one street – it covered cities. For example, another portion of the protest reasons was added after the deaths of Michael Brown from Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner from New York, who also died tragically as a result of police misconduct.
Then the process became widespread and became a protest against all deaths of African Americans who lost their lives at the hands of the police, regardless of where and when it happened. The action became so influential and relevant that in 2015, activists of the protest movement took part in the 2016 presidential elections.
What is Black Lives Matter?
Black Lives Matter is a slogan used by activists fighting against racial injustice. It is not a registered trademark but serves as a name for a decentralized movement advocating for the rights of Black people. Its goal is to eradicate violence and discrimination against African Americans living in the United States and abroad. The history of BLM began in 2013 after a court acquitted the murderer of a Black teenager on all charges.
Several representatives (Opal Tometi, Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza) have developed a hashtag, which has become a global emblem and launched it to the masses. They expanded the local project to the national level, creating over 30 local chapters in 2014-2016. These people made Black Lives Matter a decentralized protest, a network of activists who have no formal hierarchy.
A new wave of outrage and widespread recognition of the logo came in 2020 when another case of violence was recorded – the murder of George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin from Minneapolis. Then, according to various estimates, from 15 million to 26 million people took part in protests against the bullying of blacks. The movement now has many demands and views, but they concern mainly criminal law reform and justice for racial justice. And what unites them is a striking protest logo derived from a hashtag. It currently exists in several versions.
The original logo consists of a bright yellow square on which the proclamation “Black Lives Matter” is written in three lines. The rows are left-aligned to make the words easier to read since, according to grammar rules, the English text is read from left to right. The upper inscription is made in black letters, the middle one – in white on a black rectangle (it was used to enhance the contrast). The font is even, chopped, strict, with symbols extended high. At the same time, the inter-letter space is minimal, which does not affect the readability of the call. On the contrary, thanks to the neon yellow color, words immediately catch the eye.
There is another version of the text logo. It is made in black and white to emphasize the unity of the black and white people. It is based on a rectangle with smooth edges and clear corners. In the center (no left alignment is used here) is the well-known demand motto created and circulated by Opal Tometi, Patrisse Cullors, and Alicia Garza. It also occupies three lines: at the top, there is a white word “Black,” in the middle – black “Lives” on a light narrow rectangle, at the bottom – white “Matter.” The font, in this case, is taken differently: squat, wide, sans serif. But the letters are also close to each other, demonstrating the solidarity of the protesters.
The third version of the logo is a mirror image of the text from the first logo. The word “Black” is painted white and placed on a black background, as is the bottom inscription “Matter.” The central place is occupied by the word “Lives.” It is completely black and is on a white stripe. The text is in a thin white frame.
In addition to verbal expression of protest, the world movement uses a drawn sign. This is a raised left hand, which is clenched into a tight fist. It symbolizes a lot: unity, threat, warning, action signal. The image is black with a white background. Below, the slogan “Black Lives Matter” is written in small letters. It takes one line. The fist is drawn in a geometric style, as evidenced by the straight lines, clear corners, rectangles, and trapeziums from which it is assembled.
Black Lives Matter: Interesting Facts
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement is all about fighting against police brutality and racism towards black people through peaceful protests. It started in 2013 after Trayvon Martin’s shooter was not convicted.
- Beginning: BLM was created by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi with a hashtag on social media. They wanted a new way for black communities to stand up against violence and racism.
- Organization: BLM is not like older civil rights movements. It doesn’t have a strict hierarchy. Instead, it’s a collection of over 40 groups working independently but united in their goals.
- Worldwide Support: The movement got huge attention in 2020 after George Floyd’s death. People from many countries protested, showing their support for the cause.
- Cultural Influence: BLM has inspired artists, musicians, and writers to focus on racial injustice in their work, helping to spread the movement’s message.
- Changes in Policies: Thanks to BLM, there have been real changes, like police wearing body cameras, the banning of chokeholds, and new rules to make police more accountable.
- Nobel Peace Prize Nomination: In 2021, BLM was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize because of its efforts to end racial inequality and promote solidarity against racism.
- Diverse Support: People from all walks of life support BLM, showing that the desire for racial justice is a common goal across different communities.
- Political Impact: BLM has made racial justice a major topic in politics, encouraging discussions about systemic racism.
- Educational Role: Beyond protests, BLM also aims to educate people on the history of racial injustice and the challenges black communities still face.
- Inspiring Other Movements: The success of BLM has motivated other groups to fight against discrimination and inequality worldwide.
BLM’s rise from a social media hashtag to a global force shows the ongoing fight against racial injustice. Its influence on society, culture, and politics proves the importance of grassroots activism in bringing about change.
Font and Colors
The creative team at advertising studio DDB San Francisco has turned “Black Lives Matter” into the official font. It was based on a grotesque typeface called Anton – bold, even, with right angles. It was chosen because it resembles Impact and is free.
The color palette of the movement is monochrome. In the first case, it consists of yellow and black, in all others – of white and black, reflecting the unity between representatives of different races.
Black Lives Matter color codes
| Sonoran Sand | Hex color: | #f8ef2a |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 248 239 42 | |
| CMYK: | 0 4 83 3 | |
| Pantone: | PMS 3945 C |
| Black | Hex color: | #000000 |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 0 0 0 | |
| CMYK: | 0 0 0 100 | |
| Pantone: | PMS Process Black C |
