communicating in crisis - navigator · 6/10/2020 · nationwide surveys of registered voters; each...

Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three days.Latest wave conducted May 28-June 1, 2020. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Communicating in Crisis

Update:Wednesday, June 10, 2020


Key takeaways:

• There is overwhelming support for the protests, while the police response is viewed negatively.

• The public sees the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor as part of a broader problem with police brutality – but has optimism the protests will be effective.

• By a wide margin, Americans disapprove of Trump's response to the protests following the death of George Floyd.


More than two thirds of Americans approve of the protests that have followed the death of George Floyd against police treatment of African Americans.• 69% of independents support these protests, as do 64% of white Americans.• This comes as 7% of Americans report having participated personally in a protest since Floyd’s death.

As you may know, the death of George Floyd led to protests across the country focused on police treatment of Black Americans. Do you support or oppose these protests?

More Than Two in Three Support Protests

68

89

6944

917564

4

2

8

5

3

3

4

28

92351

62232

Overall

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

African American

Hispanic

White

Nationwide survey of 1,022 registered voters; April 17-22, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Support OpposeNot sure

Nationwide survey of 1,608 registered voters; June 4-8, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org


Please indicate how favorable or unfavorable you are to each item.

Black Lives Matter and the Police Have Similar Favorability RatingsThe same share of Americans are favorable towards Black Lives Matter and the police, as around a quarter (27%) are favorable to both.• More than half of white Americans (53%) are favorable toward the Black Lives Matter movement, while only

28% of African Americans are favorable toward the police.

Overall

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

Favorable UnfavorableNot sure

59

85

52

30

7

5

14

9

34

10

34

61

59

40

54

84

3

4

39

57

42

15

Nationwide survey of 1,011 registered voters; May 15-May 18, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Favorable UnfavorableNot sure

The Black Lives Matter Movement The police



Despite high approval ratings for police overall, more than half disapprove of how they have responded to the recent protests, and nearly half say protests have been peaceful except for police and outsiders instigating violence.

Do you approve or disapprove of the way the police have responded to the protests that have taken place after the death of George Floyd?

Half Disapprove of Police Response, Say Police and Outsiders Instigating Violence

40

17

34

45

9

13

9

7

51

70

57

48

Overall

African American

Hispanic

WhiteNationwide survey of 1,608 registered voters; June 4-8, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Approve DisapproveNot sure

41

13

36

46

10

11

8

10

49

76

56

44

Those who say that those who have been protesting police

brutality have generally been peaceful, and it’s the police

and outside agitators who have generally instigated

violence

Those who say that the protests have directly led to violence, riots and looting, and the police have been acting to protect the public, maintain order, and minimize damage

Don’t know

Which side do you agree with more?


How many videos have you seen of the protests and police reactions to them?

Most Have Seen Videos of Protests & Say Videos Made Them More Sympathetic to Protesters Than PoliceAmong the more than nine in ten Americans who say they have seen videos of the protests and the police response to them, nearly half say the videos have made them more sympathetic to protesters.

[If seen many, some, or few videos] What was your reaction to the videos you saw of the protests and the police reaction to them?

Overall

African American

Hispanic

White

Many

49

54

57

48

32

28

25

33

15

13

14

15

5

5

4

4

47

72

51

42

20

17

25

20

33

11

24

38

Nationwide survey of 1,011 registered voters; May 15-May 18, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,012 registered voters; May 21-May 25, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Some Just a few NoneMore sympathetic to protesters

More sympathetic to policeNo difference



More than half feel outsiders to protests and white supremacists are contributing “a lot” to the violence at protests.• White Americans are the least likely to think police are contributing to violence at protests (53%) and are the

most likely to think that protesters (62%) are contributing a lot to violence.

Outsiders and White Supremacists Seen as Major Contributors to Violence

Contributing a lot Not really contributing

How much do you feel each of the following groups is contributing to violence that is taking place at protests?

69

51

32

22

21

22

21

21

36

37

6

16

10

7

5

3

12

36

34

37

Outsiders to the protests who are using the protests to create conflict

White supremacists who are going to protests to create problems

President Donald Trump

Police officers

The protesters

Contributing some

Nationwide survey of 1,004 registered voters; April 24-29, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,010 registered voters; May 11-May 14, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,012 registered voters; May 21-May 25, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,007 registered voters; May 28-June 1, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Overall AA Hisp White

91 84 90 93

72 79 81 69

54 75 65 49

58 82 74 53

58 42 51 62

% Contributing a lot/someDon’t know



At least half of Americans see the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor as signs of broader problems concerning racism and police brutality in America – fewer are aware of the Christian Cooper incident.• More than four in five African Americans see the death of George Floyd as a part of a broader problem, as do

78% of Hispanics and 71% of white Americans.

Majority See Floyd, Arbery, and Taylor Deaths as Part of Broader Problem of Racism and Police Brutality

Broader problem Isolated incident

For each of the following, please indicate whether you think these incidents are part of a broader problem, or whether you think they were isolated incidents.

74

59

51

45

6

27

34

42

20

14

15

13

The death of George Floyd

The shooting of Ahmaud Arbery

The shooting of Breonna Taylor

The incident between Amy Cooper and Christian Cooper in New York’s

Central ParkNationwide survey of 1,004 registered voters; April 24-29, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,010 registered voters; May 11-May 14, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,012 registered voters; May 21-May 25, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,007 registered voters; May 28-June 1, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

AA Hisp White

85 78 71

82 60 55

77 59 46

68 50 40

% Broader problemDon’t know



Nearly three in five Americans see the recent incidents involving police brutality and protests as effective in making meaningful change around police treatment of African Americans, though only one in six say “very effective.”• Democrats (72%) and African Americans (63%) are the most likely to believe that recent incidents and protests will

make meaningful change in the way police treat African Americans.

How effective do you believe the recent incidents involving police brutality and the protests that followed will be in making meaningful change around the way the police treat Black Americans?

Some Optimism Exists that Protests Will Drive Change

58

725043

6361

56

42

285057

3739

44

Overall

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

African American

Hispanic

WhiteNationwide survey of 1,022 registered voters; April 17-22, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Effective Not effective


16% very effective

23% very effective

13% very effective

8% very effective

16% very effective

19% very effective

16% very effective


Trump’s approval ratings on his job overall, the issue of health care, and the pandemic remain underwater – but no measure is as underwater for Trump as his handling of recent protests, at a net -26.• Even among Republicans, his net approval on handling the protests (68% approve/21% disapprove) is 26 points

lower than his overall job approval (86% approve/13% disapprove).

Trump Approval Underwater – Especially on Response to Protests Following George Floyd’s Death

Approve Disapprove

Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Donald Trump is handling…Overall Dem Ind GOP

-13 -83 -30 +73

-13 -80 -26 +69

-15 -80 -25 +67

+2 -66 -3 +85

-26 -84 -39 +47

43

40

41

50

33

7

3

2

8

56

53

56

48

59

His job as president

The issue of health care

The coronavirus pandemic

The economy

Responding to the protests that have taken place after the death of George Floyd

Not sure

NET Approve



While nearly three in five Americans disapprove of Trump’s response to recent protests, disapproval is even higher among young people, Black Americans, and Hispanics.

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is responding to the protests that have taken place after the death of George Floyd?

Younger, Black, and Hispanic Americans Strongly Disapprove of Trump’s Protest Response

33

283637

1023

38

8

9

8

8

7

5

9

59

635655

8372

53

Overall

18-44

45-64

65+

African American

Hispanic

WhiteNationwide survey of 1,022 registered voters; April 17-22, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Approve DisapproveNot sure


55% strongly disapprove



NET Approve

-26

-35

-20

-18

-73

-49

-15


39

40

34

33

23

14

7

12

13

12

47

53

54

54

65

Nearly two thirds (65%) of Americans disapprove of Trump using tear gas to clear protesters so he could visit St. John’s Church, while majorities disapprove of his military use (53%) and and his public statements (54%). • Among Republicans, 43% approve of his use of tear gas and 34% disapprove.

Majority Disapprove of Trump’s Response to Floyd’s Death, Especially the Use of Tear Gas

Approve Disapprove

Please indicate whether you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling each item.

His positions on the police

His use of the military

What he has said publicly about the protests happening right now

His response to the death of George Floyd

His use of tear gas to clear protesters so he could visit St. John’s Church

Not sure

Nationwide survey of 1,004 registered voters; April 24-29, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,010 registered voters; May 11-May 14, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,012 registered voters; May 21-May 25, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,007 registered voters; May 28-June 1, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Overall Dem Ind GOP

-8 -67 -13 +64

-13 -73 -20 +61

-20 -79 -30 +52

-21 -77 -29 +49

-42 -83 -56 +9

NET Approve



In a few words, what negative things have you seen, read, or heard recently about Donald Trump?

Negative Conversation on Trump Focused on Response to Protesters, Church Photo Op, Military UseAcross party lines, those who say they have recently heard negative things about Trump cite tear-gassing protesters for a photo opportunity, his use of the military against protesters, and protests generally.• Unlike Democrats and independents, however, a top word referenced by Republicans is “media” – frequently

referencing that the mainstream media is biased in its coverage of Trump.

Democrats79% hearing “mostly negative”

Republicans45% hearing ”mostly negative”

Nationwide survey of 1,012 registered voters; May 21-May 25, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Independents59% hearing ”mostly negative”



About the StudyGlobal Strategy Group conducted a public opinion survey among a sample of 1,010 registered voters conducted June 4-June 8, 2020. 343 additional interviews were conducted among independents with no partisan lean. 200 additional interviews were conducted among African American voters. 271 additional interviews were conducted among Hispanic voters. The survey was conducted online, recruiting respondents from multiple opt-in online panel vendors. Respondents were verified against a voter file and special care was taken to ensure the demographic composition of our sample matched that of the national registered voter population across a variety of demographic variables.

About NavigatorIn a world where the news cycle is the length of a tweet, our leaders often lack the real-time public-sentiment analysis to shape the best approaches to talking about the issues that matter the most. Navigator is designed to act as a consistent, flexible, responsive tool to inform policy debates by conducting research and reliable guidance to inform allies, elected leaders, and the press. Navigator is a project led by pollsters from Global Strategy Group and GBAO along with an advisory committee, including: Andrea Purse, progressive strategist; Arkadi Gerney, The Hub Project; Joel Payne, The Hub Project; Christina Reynolds, EMILY’s List; Delvone Michael, Working Families; Felicia Wong, Roosevelt Institute; Mike Podhorzer, AFL-CIO; Jesse Ferguson, progressive strategist; Navin Nayak, Center for American Progress Action Fund; Stephanie Valencia, EquisLabs; and Melanie Newman, Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

For Press inquiries contact:

[email protected]

To learn more about Navigator:

http://navigatorresearch.org

@NavigatorSurvey on Twitter

http://navigatorresearch.org

http://navigatorresearch.org/

communicating in crisis - navigator · 6/10/2020 · nationwide surveys of registered voters; each...

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