Black Lives Matter to President Trump
Real Clear Politics
Paris Dennard, RNC Senior Advisor for Black Media Affairs
June 3, 2020
"...Throughout history there have been times when images of the black experience have pricked the consciousness of all Americans. In 1955, it was the open casket of 14-year-old Emmett Till. In 1965, it was the peaceful protesters on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., brutalized by Bull Connor-style officers on national TV. In 2014, it was Eric Garner pleading for his life in New York saying, 'I can’t breathe,' and tragically in 2020 it was George Floyd’s cry before his cruel and unjustifiable death at the knee of a rogue police officer.
"The public response to each of these incidents and many others varied, but none seem to have sparked what we see today. Peaceful protests of good people who rightfully want justice and change turned into organized chaos of violence, looting, rioting, property destruction and even deaths. Reports now show many of these agitators are members of organized militant leftists’ groups like Antifa that have no interest in peace, change or justice.
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"Black Americans have endured the painful sting of racism, discrimination and excessive force from rogue police officers for too long. The cries of the people are deeper than any isolated incident. I have experienced racism, excessive force from a county sheriff, discrimination, and personal attacks because of the color of my skin and even my political affiliation.
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"It is time for action and President Trump is a man of action. His decisive leadership and inclusive agenda have shown that he is interested in putting America First, and that includes black America.
"Real political leadership in the black community is long overdue. For decades we have been let down by liberal Democrat leaders and their policies. For too long our communities have suffered from high crime, low wages, poor schools, health disparities, lack of opportunity and access to capital.
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"I’m optimistic that President Trump will use his authority to protect all Americans, create the change we need and provide common sense solutions. This is the man that led the charge for de-segregating Palm Beach, Fla., for Jews and black Americans. He supported Sen. Tim Scott’s anti-lynching legislation in the U.S. Senate and worked with him to create Opportunity Zones, saying, 'We must all work together as a society to expand opportunity and to create a future of greater dignity and promise for all of our people. We must forge a partnership with community leaders, local law enforcement, and the faith community to restore hope.'
"Donald Trump worked with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow Push Wall Street Project that sought to bridge the gap between minorities and Wall Street. Rev. Jackson said of Trump, 'In terms of reaching out and being inclusive, he did that too. … He’s a serious person who is an effective builder -- being able to build up people.'
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"White House domestic policy is now led by a criminal justice reform warrior, Brooke Rollins. She has worked with Jared Kushner and Ja’Ron K. Smith, the highest ranking black American in the White House, to ensure that African American leaders and outside groups always have access to get things done.
"The route to justice is long, but with President Trump, the train is moving fast. Minneapolis police officers have been fired in the George Floyd case; Derek Chauvin has been charged. President Trump has vowed to label Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, and there has been an expedited federal civil rights investigation opened at the president’s direction.
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"This November, go vote, but before you do, pay attention to who is fighting for our community, and who is just paying us lip-service. Because of President Trump and his conservative leadership, I hope the country can agree that black lives do matter because they are American lives. We are all Americans, who have the same constitutional rights to life, liberty and justice."
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