Question

the hashtag #blacklivesmatter was created in direct response to
a the murder of trayvon martin.
b the jim crow laws that were passed.
c the passage of the civil rights act.
d the activity of white supremacist groups.
(image: a person holding a sign that reads a threat to justice anywhere is an injustice everywhere - mlk, birmingham jail)

Explanation:

The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter was created in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the murder of Trayvon Martin. Option B (Jim Crow laws) were earlier segregation laws, Option C (Civil Rights Act) was passed in the 1960s, and Option D (white supremacist groups' activity) is not the direct trigger for the hashtag's creation. The direct response was the murder of Trayvon Martin and the subsequent acquittal.

Answer:

A. the murder of Trayvon Martin.