Black Lives Matter is not a political party. Black Lives Matter began as a social media hashtag, used by three community organizers in reaction to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's murderer in 2013. Officially operating as the Black Lives Matter Foundation Inc., it has grown into a network of 40 chapters in the U.S. and Canada, and a major influence in a larger movement fighting violence against Blacks. Members in its chapters organize advocacy, informational and protest efforts to ensure that “social, economic, and political power…” is guaranteed to all Black populations in North America.