Americans’ Support for BLM in Strong Decline Since 2020

Forty-six percent of Americans say they oppose the Black Lives Matter Movement – up 15 points since the riots in 2020 following the death of George Floyd.

WHY IT MATTERS – Decline in support for the Black Lives Matter Movement will reduce its ability to impact public policy and elections. 

THE NUMBERS – A recent survey from the Pew Research Center asked Americans whether they support or oppose the Black Lives Matter Movement.

  • 51 percent – Strongly or somewhat support
  • 46 percent – Oppose

When looking at previous surveys asking the same question, support for the movement is in strong decline. During the riots in the summer of 2020, support for the movement peaked at 67 percent with 31 percent of Americans opposing it. 

The survey also asked Americans how effective they thought the Black Lives Matter Movement had been in “improving race relations in the U.S.?”

  • 7 percent – Extremely or very effective
  • 30 percent – Somewhat effective
  • 61 percent – Not at all or not too effective

When asked how effective the movement was at “improving the lives of black people,” Americans responded:

  • 8 percent – Extremely or very effective
  • 33 percent – Somewhat effective
  • 57 percent – Not at all or not too effective

BOTTOM LINE – Support for the BLM movement is in strong decline with more than half of Americans saying the movement has not improved race relations or the lives of black people in the U.S.

GO DEEPER – 

Pew Research Center – Support for the Black Lives Matter Movement Has Dropped Considerably From Its Peak in 2020