Black Lives Matter was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of the nominee’s contribution to BLM’s influence in raising awareness of racism around the world.
Despite a turbulent summer in the United States following the death of George Floyd, where some BLM protests escalated into a violent conflict, the group was praised for sparking important negotiations.
Petter Eide, a Norwegian MP nominated by BLM, dismissed questions about violence perpetrated in the name of the movement.
‘Of course there have been incidents, but most of them have been caused by the activity of either the police or counter-protesters,’ he said.
The Black Lives Matter movement was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
A man is raising his first one during the “Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks” protest against racism and police brutality on 28 August. BLM was recommended for awareness raising
Norwegian politician Petter Eide announced BLM for the award, which was presented in October
Aerial view of Black Lives Matter mural on Seattle’s East Pine Street, seen on June 14
More than 90 percent of BLM demonstrations did not involve any serious harm to people or property, according to data collected by the Arms Conflict Situation Project and Incident Data in September 2020.
But ugly scenes began in the summer after Floyd’s assassination on May 25, when BLM activists took to the streets.
From Portland to Minneapolis to Kenosha, Washington DC and New York, demonstrators would fight the police once the sun went down and the main parades spread.
Groups of critics took advantage of the riot to burn shops and set fire to businesses and buildings in acts criticized by many in the movement.
Donald Trump and his supporters were quick to file BLM protest leaflets.
‘The stated goal of the BLM people is to achieve the destruction of the nuclear family, eliminate the police, abolish prisons, abolish border security, abolish capitalism and eliminate school choice,’ Trump said on September 25 , in a remarkable skirmish of the main body of the group. goals.
Complaints about the murder of Breonna Taylor can be seen in Louisville, Kentucky
The BLM complaint is pictured on May 30 in Los Angeles after the murder of George Floyd on May 25
Most of the protests were peaceful but some, like this in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 21, ended in a dispute between police and demonstrators.
New York City looters are seen attacking a store following a June 1 BLM complaint
Exhibitors raise their fists as a street fire fires in Seattle on June 8
A BLM supporter will fight with a Trump supporter at Civic Center Park in Kenosha on Sept. 1
Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck
BLM was founded in 2013, in response to the release of Trayvon Martin killer George Zimmerman.
Since then it has grown into an international movement with a distributed structure.
Eide said BLM leaders should be commended for their work in raising awareness of racism.
‘I find that one of the main challenges we have seen in America, but also in Europe and Asia, is the growing type of conflict based on inequality, said Eide in his nomination statement, obtained by the Guardian.
‘Black Lives Matter’ has become a very important worldwide movement to fight racial injustice.
‘They have made a very good achievement in raising global awareness and awareness of racial injustice.’
Riots began in Minneapolis (pictured May 29) after Floyd’s assassination
In Portland, police are seen confronting demonstrators on July 20th
Eide, 61, who previously nominated human rights activists from Russia and China for the award, said he appreciated BLM’s ability to mobilize people from all walks of life. -social, not just African Americans, not just bereaved people, it has been a widespread movement, in a way that has been different from what they were before. ‘
His nomination concludes: ‘By awarding the peace prize to Black Lives Matter, as the world’s strongest force against racial injustice, it sends a powerful message that peace is based on equality, intimacy friendship and human rights, and that all countries must respect these fundamental principles. .
There are few obstacles to being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize: in fact winning is a much tougher challenge.
Any member of a government parliament or a university professor, as well as directors of foreign policy institutions, Nobel Prize recipients and members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee may nominate an individual or organization.
Nominations require no invitation and are accepted by 1 February of the year of accreditation and will be accepted.
Last year 318 were nominated, and the World Food Program won the award.
Trump was announced in 2018 and again this year – twice by Norwegian politician Christian Tybring-Gjedde.
Most notable recipients of the award include Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa, but the broad criteria for nomination means that previously nominated candidates have taken some controversial selections. in.
Adolf Hitler was nominated for a peace prize in 1939 by a member of the Swedish parliament. It was reportedly included in a satire, the naming was announced shortly thereafter.
A few years later, Soviet leader Josef Stalin was nominated for the same award, twice: once in 1945, for his efforts ending World War II, and again in 1948.
Following the submission of applications, the recipient is selected by a five-man Nobel Committee, nominated by the Norwegian Parliament.
The winner of the 2021 award will not be announced until October.