DEMOCRAT vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris has been branded “ignorant” after she praised “essential” Black Lives Matter protests following the shooting of cops during riots in Louisville.
Harris described the protests as “essential for the evolution of our country” in an interview during the NAACP’s national convention.
Her comments were made just three days after two cops were shot and injured during rioting in Louisville, Kentucky.
The disturbances were sparked after a grand jury decided not to charge the officers who shot and killed Breonna Taylor.
One of the officers involved was charged with wanton endangerment for shooting into a neighboring apartment.
Harris said: “Nothing that we have achieved that has been about progress, in particular around civil rights, has come without a fight, and so I always am going to interpret these protests as an essential component of evolution in our country – as an essential component or mark of a real democracy.
“The people’s voices must be heard, and it is often the people who must speak to get their government to do what it is supposed to do, but may not do naturally unless the people speak loudly – and obviously peacefully.”
She continued: “I actually believe that Black Lives Matter has been the most significant agent for change within the criminal justice system.
I always am going to interpret these protests as an essential component of evolution in our country – as an essential component or mark of a real democracy
Kamala Harris
“I think, a community and the country speaking out, understanding that nothing that we have achieved that has been about progress in this country has come without a fight. Nothing that we have achieved in our country that has been about progress, and in particular around civil rights has come without a fight.”
Many objected to Harris’s comments and took to social media to voice their concerns.
Arthur Schwarz used her own words against her, writing: “Unmoved by the violence in our streets and the brutal attacks on our police officers, Kamala Harris says the ‘protests’ are essential for our ‘evolution’ as a country.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Steve Guest, the Rapid Response Director of the GOP
He wrote: “After months of left-wing violence, Democrat Sen. Kamala Harris says these protests are an essential part of our ‘evolution’ as a country.”
Cuban-American director and producer Robby Starbuck added: ”Nothing we’ve achieved… has come without a fight and so I’m always going to interpret these protests as an essential component of evolution in our country… and as necessary.’ – Kamala Harris Remember this when you see cities on fire & people attacked.”
Philip Camp, called the senator “stupid” in his Twitter comment: “Kamala Harris praises BLM, says ongoing protests are ‘essential’ for change in US. Just shows how stupid Kamala Harris is. The country is going to pot with people like her in leadership roles.”
Author Daniel Bobinski wrote: “I’d like to publicly thank Kamala Harris for telling Americans that the protests (aka riots) need to continue… and hold her personally responsible for the violence and the medical bills… and yes, the deaths, too. I lay this at the feet of Congressional Democrats.”
Harris has previously defended the protestors, saying last month: “We must always defend peaceful protest and peaceful protesters. We should not confuse them with those looting and committing acts of violence, including the shooter who was arrested for murder. Make no mistake, we will not let these vigilantes and extremists derail the path to justice.”
Protestors across the country took to the streets angered over the deaths of Black Americans, including Breonna Taylor.
New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Portland all saw demonstrators chant Taylor’s name
Atlanta police used chemical agents and made several arrests after some protestors attempted to climb on a SWAT vehicle.
Over in Wisconsin, marchers blocked traffic on an interstate and spoke about Taylor on the steps of the state Capitol.
Cops in Louisville made 127 arrests after a protest was declared an unlawful assembly with the police saying fires were set in bins and a number of vehicles were damaged.
They also claimed several stores were looted.
Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said a suspect had been detained in the shooting of two officers, who are expected to recover from their injuries.
Larynzo D Johnson, 26, was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer and multiple charges of wanton endangerment of police officers, according to prison records.
