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More than 1,300 “Hands Off” rallies were held across the U.S. on April 5 to protest the policies of Donald Trump.
The U.S. President took office less than 90 days ago and has since signed more than 100 executive orders to cut federal jobs, dismantle the Dept. of Education, roll back diversity, equality and inclusion policies that benefit women, veterans and people of color, make cuts to health and retirement benefits to millions of people, deport thousands of immigrants, initiate tariffs which will increase the cost of consumer goods, and remove historical information about Black Americans from the Smithsonian Institute.
It’s been a busy two and a half months, and he’s just getting started.
With so many issues to be upset about, it’s not hard to understand why more than 5 million protestors showed up to express their rage, disappointment and—for some Trump supporters—regret.
But there was one segment of society that was noticeably absent—Black people. Historically, the most discriminated and abused of all non-white citizens, and the ones most likely to show up and fight against the oppression, African Americans chose, this time, to stay away.
Being warned by social media not to give the Trump administration and racist police opportunities to perpetrate violence, many stayed home for safety reasons. The 92% of Black women and 86% of Black men who voted for Kamala Harris in November, and tried to warn others to do the same, have decided to rest.
It’s time for white people and Latinos who voted for Trump to take up the slack.
In the weeks leading up to the protest, Black people on YouTube and TikTok shared their thoughts on how they’d spend Protest Day—taking naps, getting haircuts, cleaning their homes, watching movies, and caring for their families—basically minding their black business.
Black folks understood the assignment and acted accordingly. Apparently, this strategy of “rest” is working. There were few reports of violence by police because Black people were not around. It’s interesting how peaceful the protests went when protestors were mostly White. Somehow, when Black people show up, they are met with police in riot gear, ready to use tear gas and rubber bullets, no matter how nonviolently Black protestors behave.
“Our people did good 🖤🖤 I’m so proud of us. Blk people do stand together,” wrote one commenter on a TikTok video said after watching footage of the crowds.
Others pointed out that because there were so few Black and Brown people at events around the country, the police had no reason to see the protesters as a threat.
Resisting Trumpian policies through rest and continuing to engage in economic boycotts may be the way for Black Americans to go, for now. Since the Target boycott began on the retailer has reported more than a 5% decline in foot traffic, according to Placer.ai.
More protests are planned this Saturday, April 12 in Arkansas, Texas and Kentucky, according to Mobilize.us, an information site for nationwide protests. Go to the website to find ways to get involved.
