How The Local Black Lives Matter Movement Has Evolved How The Local Black Lives Matter Movement Has Evolved Activists march at a rally to defund the Boston Police Department, May 31, 2021 Tori Bedford / GBH News How The Local Black Lives Matter Movement Has Evolved At almost every Black Lives Matter protest she has organized in Boston, activist Monica Cannon-Grant repeats the same demand to the crowd: âDon't just come to the rally, go home, eat a cheese sandwich and check off the box that says 'I marched and rallied with the Negroes' and do nothing." Since last summer's protests over the police murder of George Floyd produced headlines, activists have continued their work behind the scenes on community organizing, preventing violence, charity fundraising and meeting with lawmakers.