In the wake of the unjust killings and
police brutality toward Black people in the
United States, Black researchers shared their personal stories and experiences of racism within the scientific community. This inspired group of researchers called for the academic community to reflect upon their role in contributing to racism and discrimination. In particular, the organisers called for the majority white academic community to consider their personal roles in perpetuating systemic racism. The day was organised by Particles for Justice and
Vanguard STEM, an intersectional coalition of scientists and STEM professionals. On June 5, 2020, the coalition simultaneously launched separate written calls for a strike and shutdown at strikeforblacklives.com and shutdownstem.com , which provided resources and information about the day and its aims. As part of the #ShutDownSTEM and #StrikeforBlackLives activities, researchers around the world were encouraged to stop usual academic work for a day: to read and engage with resources that challenge them, take responsibility to be anti-racist, and to create space for people who experience racism to be able to heal. In the build up to the event, Particles for Justice released a statement saying,"We recognize that our academic institutions and research collaborations—despite big talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion—have ultimately failed Black people." Organisers of #ShutDownSTEM included
Brittany Kamai,
Lucianne Walkowicz,
Jedidah Isler,
Renée Hložek, and others. The Particles for Justice organisers of Strike for Black Lives were
Brian Nord,
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, Matthew Buckley,
Kyle Cranmer, Djuna Croon,
Daniel Harlow, Seyda Ipek, Sam McDermott, Matthew Reece, Nausheen R. Shah, Brian Shuve,
Tracy Slatyer,
Timothy M.P. Tait, Graham White, and Tien-Tien Yu. == Impact ==