He’s sick of blind loyalty.
Mark Fisher, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter (BLM) Rhode Island, voiced strong criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris just before the 2024 Election Day, stating that he would vote for former President Donald Trump. In an interview with The New York Post, Fisher described Harris as someone who would exploit any situation for her advantage and predicted that her rise to power would lead to disaster for the country. His comments reflect his growing disillusionment with the Democratic Party, which he believes has failed to deliver meaningful progress for the Black community.
Fisher, who played a key role in the BLM Rhode Island chapter’s push for Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to sever ties with an exclusive, all-white club, pointed to systemic issues such as poverty, crime, and a failing education system in Black neighborhoods as proof that the Democratic Party has not effectively addressed the needs of Black Americans. He expressed regret over his vote for President Biden in 2020, stating that he and others had been “blindly loyal” to the Democratic Party without seeing tangible results.
Having endorsed Trump in November 2023, Fisher reiterated that he no longer believes the Democratic Party represents the interests of Black voters. His endorsement has sparked a divide between him and the national BLM organization, as well as the BLM Rhode Island PAC. Both groups distanced themselves from Fisher, accusing him of using his stance for publicity and dismissing his claims of being an authentic activist.
Despite the criticism from the national BLM organization and its Rhode Island PAC, Fisher emphasized that he is part of the BLM Rhode Island chapter, which operates separately from the PAC. Fisher’s stance also led to a broader conversation within the left-wing movement, particularly around the Democratic Party’s leadership. The BLM organization expressed dissatisfaction with Harris’s potential candidacy and called for a primary process to select a Democratic nominee, signaling their displeasure with the current trajectory of the party.
Fisher’s comments highlight a growing frustration among some Black activists who feel that the Democratic Party has not lived up to its promises to the Black community. While Fisher’s views have caused a rift with official BLM entities, they also reflect a larger debate about the future of Black political engagement in America.
