Judge Rules ‘Black Lives Matter’ itself is not an entity of any sort.” McKesson was “solely engaged in protected speech.” U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson dismissed the lawsuit against DeRay McKesson and Black Lives Matter brought by a police officer who says he was hit by a rock at a rally in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 17, 2016. In a 24-page ruling that states in part, “Although many entities have utilized the phrase ‘black lives matter’ in their titles or business designations, ‘Black Lives Matter’ itself is not an entity of any sort.” Additionally, Judge Jackson further concluded that McKesson was “solely engaged in protected speech.”