Video alarm of federal agents operating in Portland 2:52
(CNN) - Racial justice protests, sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in May this year, resonate with most Americans.
About two-thirds of Americans support the protests about racial injustice that started after Floyd's death, according to a new Gallup poll released Wednesday.
More Americans (53%) are also more likely to say the protests will "help" public support for racial justice and equality rather than "hurt," which is what 34% said.
- Portland mayor was hit by tear gas after speaking to protesters about the presence of federal agents
That support is at odds with the Trump administration and Attorney General Bill Barr, who have taken an increasingly harsh line against the protests.
On Tuesday, Barr claimed that "violent protesters" have "hijacked" peaceful protests, during his opening statement before the House Judiciary Commission.
"After George Floyd died, violent agitators and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests to wreak havoc and senseless destruction on innocent victims," Barr said.
Democrats throw questions and complaints at William Barr 3:50While there have been scattered cases and graphic images of clashes between protesters and police, the protests have been largely peaceful. Gallup shows how deep that support for the protests is. One in 10 Americans surveyed said they had participated in a protest in the past 30 days, and among youth, that number is 1 in 4.
There is also another sign of a partisan divide. Republicans were less likely to report participating in a protest: Only 1% did, according to the survey, and 14% reported feeling connected to the cause of the protests.
Bottom line: Most Americans support racial justice protests, despite how the Trump administration frames it.
Protests