Yesterday while speaking in Seattle, Senator Sanders was interrupted by “Black Lives Matter” protesters.
The two women who protested, approached the podium and began screaming in Senator Sanders face. Sanders, who could have had the protesters arrested, decided to step away from the podium and let the two women have their say.
The two women, who acted rudely towards Sanders, then began to call the crowd “white supremacists.”
One of the event organizers went to the microphone and stated “we support the Black Lives Matter.” One of the protesters, then forcefully took the microphone and screamed “Why are you still talking!?”
The event in which Sanders was speaking about Social Security was ended, and the crowd that went to hear him speak was disappointed.
These two women need to realize that their actions were uncalled for and ultimately destructive towards their own movement. First of all, you will not get anyone to listen to you when you call them “white supremacists.”
If these two women would have done their research, they would have realized that Sanders is not a politician to direct your anger at. In fact, Sanders is one of your biggest allies.
During the 1960s, Sanders was a SNCC organizer and was arrested for organizing a sit-in at the university of Chicago fighting against segregation.
The Black Lives Matter protests has stemmed from the recent killings of black people in America by police officers who have gone unpunished. But these women failed to recognize that Sanders has been the only presidential candidate that has not only supported Black Lives Matter, but has actively spoken about police brutality and the racial injustice that exists in this country.
And “Black Lives Matter” goes beyond the police brutality. Sanders has actively talked about the disparity of youth unemployment based on race, and has acknowledged the racial injustice in our prison systems as well.
Sanders was speaking about wealth inequality, jobs, and social security; all of which are issues that affect black people as well. Disrupting his speech and his platform is doing the exact opposite of what you want.
Sanders, and many of his supporters are already on board with Black Lives Matter protests and are supportive of things you are fighting for. You are doing your movement no justice by attacking your allies.
Senator Sanders said this in response to the protesters:
“I am disappointed that two people disrupted a rally attended by thousands at which I was invited to speak about fighting to protect Social Security and Medicare. I was especially disappointed because on criminal justice reform and the need to fight racism there is no other candidate for president who will fight harder than me.”
Like I said, I’m all supportive of the Black Lives Matter protests, but these protests have to be effective and targeted at the right people.
They had a great message in which they talked about the racism that existed in Seattle and gave statistics to back up their statements, but they’re execution of that message was wrong. They should have spoken their message and then should have stepped off the stage instead of attempting to shut the event down and verbally attacking Sanders and the crowd.
These two women are noble for their activism, and the Black Lives Matter movement is important, but like I said above, you are doing yourself no favor by attacking those already on your side.