The Black Lives Matter movement isn’t backing down, despite concerns about a backlash after the killings of five police officers by a black sniper in Dallas.
Organizers quickly repudiated violence against police, but also said they understand the frustration that led to Thursday’s shootings.
“Black Lives Matter doesn’t condone shooting law enforcement,” said actor and model Sir Maejor, an organizer with the movement in Atlanta. “But I have to be honest: I understand why it was done. I don’t encourage it, I don’t condone it, I don’t justify it. But I understand it.”
Dallas Police Chief David Brown said that before he was killed, the gunman told a negotiator he had acted on his own, and was “upset about Black Lives Matter.”
“He said he was upset about the recent police shootings. The suspect said he was upset at white people. The suspect stated that he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers,” the chief said.
Police have not indicated whether the shooter had any involvement with Black Lives Matter, but the killings have put the movement under a microscope.
“This is a devastating time for us as activists and organizers. We cannot bring about justice through violence,” said Jeff Hood, a pastor in Dallas who said he heard the shots and saw officers fall after Thursday night’s rally.
The youthful organizers seem determined to keep up their pressure with angry marches, waving off criticism from some that they bear responsibility for the killings.
Many others — including such civil rights icons as U.S. Rep Congressman John Lewis — say the protests must remain peaceful to achieve justice.
(Sourced From Agencies, Feature Image courtesy:debatepolitics.com)
