Monday, July 18, 2016

Black & All Lives Matter: They Are Not Terrorists, Not Thugs, Not Killers — They Are a Movement

Do Those Faces Look Like Only Black Lives Matter Faces - Hardly


These Are Not Only White, but Clergy, the Young, Concerned and Active


Issue: BLACK LIVE MATTER (BLM movement). The source used for this posting is mostly from Reena Flores @ CBS News, Sunday, July 17, 2016 (edited to fit the blog):

This week to an online petition asking the federal government: “To formally label the Black Lives Matter movement as a terror group.” 

It says in essence: “Terrorism is defined as the use of violence and intimidation in pursuit of political aims. ‘We the People’ created this petition on July 6 at the White House website. This definition is the same definition used to declare ISIS and other groups, as terrorist organizations.”

The petition came on the heels of deadly officer-involved shootings in Baton Rouge, and Falcon Heights, MN, just days of Black Lives Matter protests for more police accountability. On July 7, one day after the petition published online, seven law enforcement officers policing a BLM demonstration in Dallas were shot and killed in a shower of sniper-like fire. On Sunday, July 17, three more policemen were shot and killed in Baton Rouge.

The petition further states: “Black Lives Matter earned this title due to its actions in Ferguson, Baltimore, and even at a Bernie Sanders rally, as well as all over the United States and Canada. The Pentagon should recognize the group as such on the grounds of principle, integrity, morality, and safety.”

The “We the People” petition team also admitted: “The White House plays no role in designating domestic terror organizations nor does the U.S. government generate a list of domestic terror organizations.”

Related and Noteworthy:  

1.  Black Lives Matter protesters condemned the massacre in Dallas, and prominent members did the same after Sunday's Baton Rouge shooting of police officers.

2.  One public voice of the movement, DeRay McKesson, urged peace after news of the Louisiana deaths broke, saying: “I'm waiting for more information like everybody else. I have more questions than answers. The movement began as a call to end violence. That call remains.” (In his remarks to the NY Times).

3.  Black Lives Matter protesters condemned the massacre in Dallas, and prominent members did the same after Sunday's Baton Rouge shooting of police officers.

4.  Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings in office since 2011, said in a video statement about the petition: “Dallas police died for Black Lives Matter movement (guarding and watching over it), therefore, we are not able to address the formal request of your petition (to label them a domestic terror organization).”

5.  The White House while acknowledging that it was a difficult time for the country – and that the debate remains a charged one. It asked everyone to consider President Obama's words calling for compassion towards the movement stated in his address to various officials in DC last week:

6.  Mr. Obama said in part: “I think it's important for us to also understand that the phrase 'black lives matter’ simply refers to the notion that there's a specific vulnerability for African Americans that needs to be addressed. We shouldn't get too caught up in this notion that somehow people who are asking for fair treatment are somehow, automatically, anti-police, are trying to only look out for black lives as opposed to others. I think we have to be careful about playing that game.”

My notes: The GOP’s right (mostly) will not let this approach die down – since it plays to their narrative or blacks against whites and that sells (at least for them),but I would ask what about Americans of all color in that BLM movement peace and civility? Don’t they matter, too? The answer is self-evident: Yes, they do and BLM has stated the goal of the movement clearly: no more violence, period.

As usual, the GOP overreacts for shock effect and political point-making which is their style in such matters and situations.

Thanks for stopping by as usual.


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