A large crowd gathered on May 3 to express their support for the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
This demonstration came after threats and policy actions from the Trump administration, which civil rights leaders say are designed to erase the truth about Black history in America.
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The rally was arranged after President Donald Trump, in a recent executive order, showed intentions to push back against what he called “views that portray American and Western values as harmful.” His statement has raised concerns about efforts to silence or rewrite historical facts related to race and justice.
March to the Museum Sparks Unified Call for Protection
Participants assembled on the steps of City Hall before marching a short distance to the museum located on the National Mall. A wide range of voices spoke out during the event, including church leaders, civil rights advocates, and members of Black Greek-letter organizations.
Their message to the crowd was clear: defend the teaching and preservation of Black history. Melanie Campbell, who leads the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, told the rally that the situation goes beyond education. “We are facing an attack on our identity and right to exist,” she said firmly.
Plans for the protest came together quickly after Trump issued an April executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” That order specifically targeted some Smithsonian museums, including the African American History and Culture Museum.
Trump accused the Smithsonian of promoting a racial perspective he opposes. His order stated, “We intend to bring the Smithsonian Institution back to being a symbol of unity and national pride.”
Protesters Push Back Against Bans and Book Restrictions
Those who addressed the crowd made it clear that efforts to eliminate Black history from schools and public discussion will be challenged.
They highlighted examples in states such as Florida, where restrictions on history education and book bans have already taken place. Many of the banned books focus on Black stories and authors.
Marchers carried signs with messages like “History should be taught, not erased” and “I take my history Black.” The chants of “Hands off our history” echoed through the streets as the group made its way to the museum, which many have affectionately nicknamed the Blacksonian.
Nicole Williams, a resident of Greenbelt, Maryland, said joining the protest was important to her. She explained while walking toward the museum, “If we fail to learn about our past, we risk repeating its mistakes.”
Williams, who also spoke at the rally on behalf of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, said she believes the current administration is cutting funding for programs and institutions that support communities of color.
“This is about all of us. If we remain silent, we are allowing our story to be erased,” she said. “We have to make sure our voices are heard.”
