For the first time ever the 2017 Sydney Peace Prize is being awarded to a movement instead of an individual. The Sydney Peace Prize is a prestigious international award which recognizes peacemakers around the world for promoting human rights, nonviolence and “peace with justice.” In November of this year the Black Lives Matter movement will be presented honor with this award.

Following the murder of Travyon Martin and the acquittal of his murderer George Zimmerman the Black Lives Matter movement was founded by Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi. Following the powerful protest surrounding Trayvon Martin’s death, a huge statement was made by Black Lives Matter following Michael Brown’s in Ferguson when was unjustly killed by a police officer.

Past recipients highly praised the Sydney Foundation’s decision.