Activism and the Democratic Party

Activists have the power to change the system. They are the groups that hold our elected officials to a high standard. Jedidiah Brown, the National President of Young Leaders Alliance (YLA), states, “‘[p]ower concedes to nothing but more power.’ You have to show them you are a threat that they don't want to agitate.” Brown's YLA promotes the need for cohesiveness amongst activists. He asserts that the culture of activism must be strengthened at the local level in order to maintain longevity: “[o]n the national scale, you have these movements that are well-oiled machines but when you come to the local backing it is chaotic, unorganized, and unfocused.”

To obtain longevity, BLM demands to be heard. The Democratic Party has historically obtained the black vote and Presidential candidates understand that to win the election they need the black vote. “African Americans overwhelmingly back Democratic candidates in presidential and congressional elections-- averaging about 88 percent support since 1980.” Chicago has been a historically Democratic city: all of the city's mayors since 1931 have been Democrats. While it may be presumed that Chicago Democrats run the city,  there has been a conservative response to policing. BLM promises that a candidate will not get the black vote without the work required for it.