Black Lives Matter Activists Seek Political Clout

 
 A year after protests in Ferguson, Mo., riveted the nation, activists at the center of the unrest that became known as the Black Lives Matter movement want to channel the outrage and the energy of marches into political clout, but their calls for action have drawn mixed results.

A handful of leaders who emerged from protests that followed the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed, black 18-year-old, by Darren Wilson, a white police officer, launched Campaign Zero in August. The campaign, similar to other activists' websites including BlackLivesMatter.com and Ferguson Action, seeks to advance a political platform that includes tackling institutional racism in courts and police departments.
Seeking policy change through the political process is a logical next step for the movement, Brittany Packnett, 30, a protester and member of the Campaign Zero planning team, said.
"Every movement grows and matures," Packnett said. "It is important to continue connecting the dots from protest to policy and back and forth."
Campaign Zero wants to seize on an "opportunity and a moment in history where we can ensure that sacrifices people have and continue to make on the street can translate into policy changes, especially during an election year," she said.

Nabil K. Mark, AP
Penn State student Zaniya Joe wears a piece of tape over her mouth that says "Black Lives Matter", as a group of Penn State University students protest in reaction to the events in Ferguson.
Black Lives Matter activists have had some success, Johnson said. They have met with two leading presidential candidates, pushed their issue in front of a national audience through the presidential debates, and likely influenced some police departments to adopt increased use of body cameras.
The activists have had less success changing laws and policies that govern the investigation and prosecution of police-involved shootings, he said.The political influence of the Black Lives Matter movement, as with any interest group, will be measured by its ability to change the national conversation, get existing laws changed or new laws passed, and persuade political leaders to adopt their issues, said Jason Johnson, a political science professor at Hiram College in Ohio.

Cheryl Evans, The Arizona Republic
Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, interrupts Maryland Gov. more
The Democratic National Committee has issued a statement of support for a presidential town hall meeting hosted by Black Lives Matter activists, including Campaign Zero leaders. The Republican National Committee, which says it doesn't support or oppose town halls, has explained the rules of hosting such an event to activists.
But neither party has agreed to change its formal debate schedule to add a debate focused on race issues, as some activists have asked.
Activist Elle Hearns, 28, a strategic partner for the Black Lives Matter network, an organization that has 27 chapters in North America , said town hall meetings with individual candidates won't give voters a clear view of the differences among the contenders.
"We really know these candidates are going to target black voters and black votes so that's why a debate is really essential," Hearns, who is black, said. "There's no other space or platform that will provide voters the opportunity to really connect to why they should support one of these candidates over the other."
So far, the two leading Democratic presidential candidates, former secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, have met with some Black Lives Matter activists. But, Black Lives Matter protesters have also interrupted campaign appearances of both Clinton and Sanders with chants for change. Other activists and Campaign Zero organizers have yet to meet with any of the Republican candidates. Organizers and activists have also not endorsed any 2016 presidential candidates.