Nationwide — Anti-Trump protests across the U.S. have drawn large, mostly white crowds — but some are asking why more Black protesters aren’t showing up. Despite this, Black leaders stress that the community is still actively opposing the Trump administration, just not through traditional marches.According to the Chicago Sun-Times, recent nationwide protests were dominated by older, white participants. In Chicago, where nearly 30% of the population is Black, many question the low turnout from Black residents at these events. But activists argue that a lack of visible participation doesn’t mean the community isn’t involved.
LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Votes Matter, emphasized, “I think there’s a false narrative that because they don’t see us in the street means we aren’t working. That’s not the case.”
Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO of Brave Space Alliance, echoed this view. She believes many Black activists are prioritizing actions that lead to long-term impact, rather than public demonstrations.
“I think it’s a part of strategy,” Parker said. “Our resistance doesn’t always look like marching downtown. Right now you’ll find us leading mutual aid drives, building community defense hubs or running voter outreach. I think that’s where our strategies have gone, more so than doing the very virtuous work of the actual protests and marches.”
Ja’Mal Green, a prominent Chicago activist, notes that many Black people are now focusing on economic empowerment. He said, “For many years Black people have focused on social justice and not enough on economics. Right now is the time where folks are talking about how to build sustainable businesses and communities so that when things like a Trump era happens, where things can be pulled away from us — we are able to sustain ourselves.”
This shift is visible in targeted actions like the boycott of Target, which followed the company’s decision to end a post-George Floyd program aimed at supporting Black employees and businesses. Events like “Spend in the Black,” which featured over 100 Black-owned vendors, also reflect this broader focus on community development over protest optics.
Concerns about police targeting may also play a role. Some Black influencers on TikTok have warned against attending large-scale protests, worried they could lead to unnecessary arrests. Others point out that younger people may not yet feel the full impact of Trump’s policies.
Still, many activists believe that as tensions rise, more people of all backgrounds will take to the streets. For now, Black resistance continues — but on their own terms.