The organizers of the nationwide “No Kings” rallies are well within their rights to pat themselves on the back. The rallies boasted nearly 7 million attendees across the United States, though estimates vary. Maryland was no small contributor to the movement, hosting around 60 events with a hundred or so participants at each one. In the age of social media, Americans who lack an activist streak were able to observe the protests online as participants and journalists alike documented the peaceful and somewhat cheeky response to an aggressive federal administration.
The astute observer, however, noticed that not all was well in paradise. As images poured in from Maryland events, including in Baltimore, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, it became quickly apparent that something was “off.” In a state as racially diverse as Maryland, it seemed as if either photographers went out of their way to avoid photographing Black people, or Black people simply stayed home. Even the journalists covering the rallies in Baltimore, a city that is nearly 60% Black, struggled to find Black people to photograph at the rallies.
Anecdotal photographic evidence isn’t the only thing giving pause. Prominent political leaders also appeared to take sides. Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen boldly blazed the trail, proudly proclaiming their support for the rallies. However, Gov. Wes Moore was nowhere to be found at the rallies. Most intriguingly, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott did not even acknowledge the rallies in his own city. His own penchant for activism makes this a strong anomaly. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks made an appearance alongside her colleague Van Hollen in Bethesda, but her participation was quieter compared with the enthusiasm of her white colleagues.
What’s going on here? The answer is simple. Black Marylanders could be losing patience with the radical progressive agenda. For decades, progressives have promised that consolidated government power, blind allegiance to “the cause” and generous public investments would lead to economic prosperity, safer communities and better schools. These strategies have often fallen short, leading to embarrassing national coverage of failing schools and persistent urban violence. Even recent positive crime trends — homicides down 29% this year — can’t fully erase the sense of dread Black residents face in their communities.
As white progressives hiss at an encroaching federal response to urban crime, Black residents find themselves conflicted. Local reporting shows some Baltimoreans, like business owner Terence Dickson and Park Heights resident Annette Thomas, welcome targeted National Guard deployment to curb break-ins and shootings. Even Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser conceded that Trump’s interventions improved safety in her city. Maryland also grapples with high-profile crimes tied to undocumented immigrants, like the 2023 Rachel Morin murder. For some, Trump’s interventions address an urgent need, despite the political and constitutional implications.
This underscores the political peril of publicly affirming the “No Kings” rallies, which by journalistic and anecdotal accounts appear driven by elderly white progressives. Mayor Scott’s timidness, as well as that of his fellow high-profile Black colleagues, could reflect a broader concern that the days of radical progressive politics are numbered, and officials will need to broaden their ideological base to court Black supporters. In political terms, Black Marylanders have never had more political influence than they do now, simply because they didn’t show up. That’s a pretty strong hand as we approach the 2026 election cycle.
Torrey Snow is a columnist and editorial board contributor at The Baltimore Sun; he can be reached at tsnow@baltsun.com.
