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John, what we’re witnessing right now is extremely dangerous.
Trump has begun deploying military force into our cities — starting with Los Angeles, where he sent National Guard troops and Marines to terrorize Angelenos peacefully protesting ICE deportations that tear apart Black and Brown immigrant communities.
Then, Trump deployed the National Guard in D.C. and took direct control of the city’s police department.
Both Los Angeles and D.C. are cities led by Black women mayors. Both are home to large Black and immigrant communities.
This is no accident. We knew this would happen, and we called it out.
Trump is now threatening to do the same in 19 other states and cities, including San Francisco, Baltimore, and Chicago.
This is not an isolated event. It’s a pattern and a plan to militarize ALL of our states, cities, and communities. It’s incredibly dangerous. And it needs to stop.
Our communities do not need soldiers in our streets. We need housing, healthcare, jobs, and schools that actually serve us. Militarization is not about safety — it’s about control. We protect us, we always have.
California shows us one model of resistance. When Trump federalized the California National Guard against the state’s wishes, Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta fought back in court. They argued this was an unlawful abuse of presidential power. The courts have not yet sided with us, but that fight matters. We need leaders who are willing to fight back against Trump in any and all ways that they can. Local leadership is absolutely critical in times like these.
Your governor, your mayor, your attorney general, and your city council are the frontlines of defense when federal power comes for our communities. That is why engaging in local politics is not optional. It’s survival, and there’s no power like the power of the people. These officials exist to execute OUR will and what’s best for their constituents.
So what can we do?
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Stay informed: Understand what powers your local officials have to resist unlawful deployments.
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Stay organized: Join local coalitions, legal observers, and community groups preparing for potential crackdowns.
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Stay active: Hold your local leaders accountable — demand that they use every tool available to keep federal forces out of our neighborhoods.
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Stay assertive: Show up at elections and cast your vote. Trump is actively trying to disenfranchise Black and Brown voters because he knows just how powerful our vote is.
Above all, we must remember that Trump’s militarization is not only a threat to the cities where troops are currently present. It is a blueprint for Black and Brown cities everywhere. He won’t stop, and he doesn’t care how many precedents or laws he breaks in the process.
Our protection lies in collective power and in demanding that local officials stand up to unlawful federal overreach. Because when we fight, we protect not just our cities, but our very right to exist freely. We are part of a global legacy of resistance. Just as people in Algeria, Eastern Europe, and the Philippines stood up to authoritarianism, we too can push back and protect our freedom.
If you’re able, donate anything you can to Black Lives Matter in the face of Trump’s national militarization threats. Your contribution today will directly support our efforts to educate, fight back, organize, and mobilize during this critical time.
In solidarity,
Black Lives Matter
Our grassroots movement is pushing for Black liberation every single day. We are striving to create a world where Black people do so much more than just survive. It’s time we thrive.
As an organization one of our biggest hurdles is consistency.
A recurring contribution of anything you can afford goes a long way as we plan for the months, years, and even decades ahead. This is the most effective way for small-dollar donors (like you) to power our Black liberation work.
Will you make a recurring contribution of $5 or more today so that we can keep building momentum for our movement?
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