Media Relations Update

July 14, 2020
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Support for Black Lives Matter increases.
Nearly half of Americans believe Trump has worsened race relations.
As the public health crisis intensifies across the U.S., the country is forced to face other grim outcome of its inadequacies: systemic racism and police brutality against black Americans. The Black Lives Matter movement has focused on addressing these issues for years, and recently gained traction in the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death, advocating for racial equality through nationwide protest and demands for policy changes. Now more than ever, BLM has widespread support of the American people, a new Pew Research Center report reveals.
Credit: " Amid Protests, Majorities Across Racial and Ethnic Groups Express Support for the Black Lives Matter Movement," Pew Research Center. June 12, 2020
Two-thirds of Americans say they support BLM , with 38% saying they strongly support the movement. Across racial lines, respondents demonstrated majority backing of BLM: black (86%), white (60%), Hispanic (77%), Asian (75%). Nevertheless, support for BLM diverges heavily along partisan lines: 92% of Democrats support the movement at 62% strong support and 30% somewhat support, compared to only 37% of Republicans supporting the movement at all, with 7% strongly supporting and 30% somewhat supporting.
Credit: " Amid Protests, Majorities Across Racial and Ethnic Groups Express Support for the Black Lives Matter Movement," Pew Research Center. June 12, 2020
Additionally,  six in ten Americans disapprove of President Trump’s messaging about the protests . More generally, about half (48%) say that he’s made race relations worse overall. Interestingly, these numbers are down from 2019, where 56% of respondents had said that race relations were worsened by the current President. Oddly, the share saying that he has made progress in this area went up by 4% (from 15% to 19%). 
 
Consistent with the other findings, these findings show a deep divide along racial and partisan lines. Black, Asian, and Hispanic adults are more likely to say that Trump has made race relations worse, while roughly one quarter of white adults (24%) say that he’s improved relations. Four in ten Republicans agree that Trump has improved race relations, while 80% of Democrats believe that he’s worsened them. 
Roger Salazar, President
rsalazar@alzamedia.com | (916) 284-1255

Hilary McLean, Partner
hilary@alzamedia.com | (916) 203-7274