New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Slanders Black Lives Matter Movement
Bob Jordan, @bobjordanAPP 1:11 p.m. EDT October 26, 2015
Christie on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday said, “I don’t believe that movement should be justified when they’re calling for the murders of police officers.’’
Republican presidential candidate and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says the Black Lives Matter movement has created an environment that can put police officers at risk.
Black Lives Matter was established after the 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed team, by a neighborhood watch enthusiast.
Christie on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday said, “I don’t believe that movement should be justified when they’re calling for the murders of police officers.’’
When host John Dickerson interrupted to say that "they're not calling for the murder of police officers," Christie responded, "Sure, they are.’’
"They've been chanting in the streets for the murder of police officers," Christie added.
Asbury Park community activist Daniel Harris said the comments show Christie is missing on the movement's purpose.
"I don’t think it asks for the killing of police officers. I think it asks for the accountability of police officers,'' Harris said.
Leaders of several police unions did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Ronald Rice, a long-serving state senator and a former Newark police officer, said Christie’s comments are off base.
“What he said is very concerning to me and all people in the African-American community,’’ said Rice, chairman of New Jersey’s Legislative Black Caucus. “There’s no one promulgating attacks on police and I say that as someone who comes from the ranks of the police.’’
On Monday Christie campaign spokeswoman Samantha Smith said Christie’s comments “highlighted the president’s liberal policies that are encouraging lawlessness throughout the country. He called on the administration to support our police officers so we can end the real violence in this country, which is happening in the streets of our cities all across this country.’’
Black Lives Matter said on its Facebook page in September that conservatives are trying to turn the movement into a danger to officers.
"We're targeting the brutal system of policing, not individual police," the movement said in its statement. "The Black Lives Matter Network seeks to end the system of policing that allows for unchecked violence against black people."
Police groups say people in marches drawing awareness to the issue have been recorded chanting for the deaths of police officers. During a protest outside Minnesota's state fair this summer, for example, some marchers were recorded chanting to fry police "like bacon." Earlier this month, the parents of slain black men and women were featured speakers at the "Justice or Else" march marking the 20-year anniversary of the Million Man March in Washington.
Christie didn’t make a clear distinction between Black Lives Matters as an organization and its supporters.
President Barack Obama last week defended the Black Lives Matter movement, noting protests are giving voice to a problem happening only in African-American communities.
"We, as a society, particularly given our history, have to take this seriously," Obama said.
The Associated Press contributed
Christie on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday said, “I don’t believe that movement should be justified when they’re calling for the murders of police officers.’’
Republican presidential candidate and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says the Black Lives Matter movement has created an environment that can put police officers at risk.
Black Lives Matter was established after the 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed team, by a neighborhood watch enthusiast.
Christie on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday said, “I don’t believe that movement should be justified when they’re calling for the murders of police officers.’’
When host John Dickerson interrupted to say that "they're not calling for the murder of police officers," Christie responded, "Sure, they are.’’
"They've been chanting in the streets for the murder of police officers," Christie added.
Asbury Park community activist Daniel Harris said the comments show Christie is missing on the movement's purpose.
"I don’t think it asks for the killing of police officers. I think it asks for the accountability of police officers,'' Harris said.
Leaders of several police unions did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Ronald Rice, a long-serving state senator and a former Newark police officer, said Christie’s comments are off base.
“What he said is very concerning to me and all people in the African-American community,’’ said Rice, chairman of New Jersey’s Legislative Black Caucus. “There’s no one promulgating attacks on police and I say that as someone who comes from the ranks of the police.’’
On Monday Christie campaign spokeswoman Samantha Smith said Christie’s comments “highlighted the president’s liberal policies that are encouraging lawlessness throughout the country. He called on the administration to support our police officers so we can end the real violence in this country, which is happening in the streets of our cities all across this country.’’
Black Lives Matter said on its Facebook page in September that conservatives are trying to turn the movement into a danger to officers.
"We're targeting the brutal system of policing, not individual police," the movement said in its statement. "The Black Lives Matter Network seeks to end the system of policing that allows for unchecked violence against black people."
Police groups say people in marches drawing awareness to the issue have been recorded chanting for the deaths of police officers. During a protest outside Minnesota's state fair this summer, for example, some marchers were recorded chanting to fry police "like bacon." Earlier this month, the parents of slain black men and women were featured speakers at the "Justice or Else" march marking the 20-year anniversary of the Million Man March in Washington.
Christie didn’t make a clear distinction between Black Lives Matters as an organization and its supporters.
President Barack Obama last week defended the Black Lives Matter movement, noting protests are giving voice to a problem happening only in African-American communities.
"We, as a society, particularly given our history, have to take this seriously," Obama said.
The Associated Press contributed
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