Vishal P. Singh
The chief of police for the Los Angeles Police Department listed “some aspects of BLM” alongside the Proud Boys as ideologies that were “counter to democracy” in a recent LA Times article.
“America is struggling today with understanding whether the Proud Boys, some aspects of BLM, other groups including Heritage Foundation and others, represent ideology that’s counter to this democracy” — LAPD Chief Michel Moore to the LA Times.
Chief Moore’s remarks sparked outrage among several Los Angeles activists. The Proud Boys are an armed terrorist group known for bigotry and for participating in the January 6, 2021 Washington D.C. insurrection at the Capitol. Black Lives Matter, meanwhile, is a civil rights movement focusing on racial equality, abolition, and Black liberation.
LAPD received widespread condemnation for excessive uses of force against Black Lives Matter protests. Their violent tactics from last year are currently under review by the National Police Foundation. LAPD was even seen actively coordinating alongside armed white supremacists in Tujunga against Black Lives Matter activists.
LAPD officers attacking Black Lives Matter protesters and press while keeping their backs turned to violent white supremacists on August 21, 2020.
For Chief Moore to label Black Lives Matter alongside Proud Boys as “counter to this democracy” is not just dubious. It’s dangerous and highly offensive.
Chief Moore should be held accountable for this bigoted remark. This is not the first time Chief Moore has made offensive statements regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. Last June, Chief Moore issued a half-hearted apology for commenting that certain protesters were just as much to blame for George Floyd’s death as the officers who killed him.
In the wake of allegations that LAPD officers shared an image that mocked the death of George Floyd; Chief Moore has elected to make offensive and alarmingly obtuse comparisons between Black Lives Matter protests and the Proud Boys.
It is worth noting that LAPD has a history with the Proud Boys. Proud Boys have been seen fraternizing at LAPD appreciation events.
Proud Boy pictured at a pro-police event at LAPD Academy on October 17, 2020.
Alleged Proud Boys were also given free reign by LAPD on January 6 at a Downtown rally to attack countless (mostly BIPOC) bystanders. These attacks occured right in front of LAPD Headquarters.
There needs to be an independent investigation into LAPD ties to Proud Boys and other right-wing extremists. Especially since at least three LAPD officers were confirmed to have been in D.C. on January 6, 2020 during the Capitol insurrection.
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