Sheriff Defends 'Black Lives Matter' Remark
Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman today defended mentioning the phrase “black lives matter” in connection with a deputy’s murder, saying he intended to make a statement about anti-police rhetoric.
Doug Miller, KHOU 11 News 11:48 p.m. CDT
September 18, 2015
Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman today defended mentioning the phrase “black lives matter” in connection with a deputy’s murder, saying he intended to make a statement about anti-police rhetoric.
Hickman reiterated that he never blamed the “black lives matter” movement for the apparently unprovoked shooting of Deputy Darren Goforth, but his use of the phrase at a news conference the day after the murder played prominently in national newscasts and helped frame the national discussion prompted by the crime.
“What I said was that extreme rhetoric is dangerous,” Hickman said. “And I didn’t connect it to anything.”
Neither investigators nor defense attorneys for accused killer Shannon Miles have revealed a motive for the murder, but he has a history of mental illness and confrontations with law enforcement officers. The sheriff has said Goforth seems to have been targeted solely because he was wearing a uniform.
The “black lives matter” movement arose in the wake of a series of highly publicized incidents in which African-American suspects died in police custody. Hickman brought up the phrase less than a day after the deputy’s death.
“This rhetoric has gotten out of control,” he said at a news conference on the killing. “We’ve heard ‘black lives matter,’ ‘all lives matter.’ Well, cop lives matter, too. So why don’t we just drop the qualifier and say ‘lives matter.’”
Goforth’s death prompted dramatic displays of support for law enforcement in the Houston area, including a memorial march for the fallen deputy and fundraisers that have collected hundreds of thousands of dollars for his family. An estimated 11,000 people attended his funeral, which was carried live on local television.
Law enforcement agency leaders called a news conference Friday to thank citizens for the unprecedented outpouring of support. But when a reporter asked Hickman questions about his “black lives matter” remarks, a public relations person interrupted.
“We’re going to cut that questioning out,” she said, scowling at the reporter speaking to the sheriff.
Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland stepped forward and volunteered to address the issue.
“Look, law enforcement understands the social justice and the calls for criminal justice reform behind the ‘black lives matter’ movement,” he said. “But as leaders in any organization – any group in law enforcement, my position, the sheriff’s position – we must be responsible and careful what we say, because there are many folks walking around on the streets of Houston and across America that don’t have a firm grasp on reality. And sometimes they think you’re giving them specific instructions or directions.”
McClelland described witnessing a “black lives matter” rally in New York City in which people chanted threats against police officers.
“I personally witnessed some of those individuals carrying those placards shouting and yelling, ‘What do we want? Dead cops. When do we want them? Right now,’” McClelland said.
Doug Miller, KHOU 11 News 11:48 p.m. CDT
September 18, 2015
Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman today defended mentioning the phrase “black lives matter” in connection with a deputy’s murder, saying he intended to make a statement about anti-police rhetoric.
Hickman reiterated that he never blamed the “black lives matter” movement for the apparently unprovoked shooting of Deputy Darren Goforth, but his use of the phrase at a news conference the day after the murder played prominently in national newscasts and helped frame the national discussion prompted by the crime.
“What I said was that extreme rhetoric is dangerous,” Hickman said. “And I didn’t connect it to anything.”
Neither investigators nor defense attorneys for accused killer Shannon Miles have revealed a motive for the murder, but he has a history of mental illness and confrontations with law enforcement officers. The sheriff has said Goforth seems to have been targeted solely because he was wearing a uniform.
The “black lives matter” movement arose in the wake of a series of highly publicized incidents in which African-American suspects died in police custody. Hickman brought up the phrase less than a day after the deputy’s death.
“This rhetoric has gotten out of control,” he said at a news conference on the killing. “We’ve heard ‘black lives matter,’ ‘all lives matter.’ Well, cop lives matter, too. So why don’t we just drop the qualifier and say ‘lives matter.’”
Goforth’s death prompted dramatic displays of support for law enforcement in the Houston area, including a memorial march for the fallen deputy and fundraisers that have collected hundreds of thousands of dollars for his family. An estimated 11,000 people attended his funeral, which was carried live on local television.
Law enforcement agency leaders called a news conference Friday to thank citizens for the unprecedented outpouring of support. But when a reporter asked Hickman questions about his “black lives matter” remarks, a public relations person interrupted.
“We’re going to cut that questioning out,” she said, scowling at the reporter speaking to the sheriff.
Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland stepped forward and volunteered to address the issue.
“Look, law enforcement understands the social justice and the calls for criminal justice reform behind the ‘black lives matter’ movement,” he said. “But as leaders in any organization – any group in law enforcement, my position, the sheriff’s position – we must be responsible and careful what we say, because there are many folks walking around on the streets of Houston and across America that don’t have a firm grasp on reality. And sometimes they think you’re giving them specific instructions or directions.”
McClelland described witnessing a “black lives matter” rally in New York City in which people chanted threats against police officers.
“I personally witnessed some of those individuals carrying those placards shouting and yelling, ‘What do we want? Dead cops. When do we want them? Right now,’” McClelland said.
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