Why I Protest

by Jahmal Henderson

On April 5th, as millions across the country mobilized at state capitols and congressional offices to make their voices heard against Trump and his administration, some Black influencers on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram were delivering a different message, both hilariously and seriously, urging Black Americans to stay home for our own safety. 

This left me feeling conflicted. Isn’t unity essential in times of oppression? I wondered. The day of the rallies, I ran into a friend who asked if I planned to attend the local rally in our city. I said yes, but her response caught me off guard. 'I’m not marching,' she said. 'I’m tired of fighting for everyone, only for no one to fight for us—including our own community. Too often, Black people put our lives, energy, and time on the line, only to be met with a lack of respect.' Her words stayed with me, adding another layer to my thoughts about unity and the burdens placed on Black people in the fight for justice. 

I thought to myself, this is yet another example of Trump and MAGA leveraging Black influencers and popular podcasts to spread disinformation among Black Americans through false and misleading narratives. 

The real danger lies in the constant repetition of such misinformation, no matter how absurd it may seem, which can still be effective across all income, education, and class levels. 

I explained to my friend that the information being shared wasn’t accurate. Trump’s policies include significant rollbacks in regulatory protections, cuts to social welfare programs, the dismantling of the federal civil service workforce, and the elimination of any focus on equity. 

Additionally, I explained that Trump’s policies will have a direct impact on neighborhoods like ours, with the ongoing militarization of law enforcement, the expansion of mass incarceration laws, and the dismantling of essential systems such as education, healthcare, and economic programs that support low-income families. That’s exactly why I’m choosing to participate. 

We went our separate ways, but as I headed down to the New Haven Green, I noticed many Black individuals making their way to the rally, some holding signs that reassured me I was in the right place, standing up for myself and my community. Among the crowd, I spotted familiar faces, including a neighbor and a few co-workers, which further strengthened my resolve. 

As I took in the sight of thousands of diverse people gathered together, I reflected on the collective energy and thought about the March on Washington. That historic event symbolized an era’s fight for freedom, equal opportunity, and social justice. It reminded me of the social inequalities that have driven Americans to protest, march, and demonstrate throughout history, expressing their frustration with the status quo and their desire for change. 

The unity of races coming together, with some even sacrificing their lives, has been essential in the fight for true equality in this country. From battling to end Jim Crow laws in the South to securing the right to vote for African Americans, many of these victories were achieved through the collective efforts of Black and White allies. The Freedom Riders of 1964, along with SNCC and CORE members, exemplified this unity. These Black and White students led pivotal campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement in the early 1960s, including sit-ins, Freedom Rides, voter registration drives, and the historic March on Washington.

Seeing these issues remain top priorities for voters and people of color today, it’s clear that protests continues to hold relevance in the United States. It’s my hope that we will one day look back at the 'Hands Off' rallies of 2025 as a pivotal moment in American politics, a time when the power of diverse voices marching and protesting will make a lasting impact on the ongoing fight for equality and true progress.