Our purpose is to combat state-sanctioned violence through non-violent action and civil disobedience, to create space for Black innovation and to center Black joy. Our work over the past 4 months has consisted of protests, marches, vigils, community forums and educational events. We've also been heavily focused on civic engagement, with an emphasis on holding elected officials accountable, especially on issues related to racial justice and more. We initially formed Black Lives Matter Nashua in response to a growing void of progressive Black leadership. The "toe the line, appease the status quo" approach adopted by our predecessors had not served us or anyone else in our community well, and as the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others gained national coverage, we decided it was time to make a real difference about systemic racism in our own backyards.