Lisa Kroese
A Disgrace They're Getting Away with It
For my Trump supporting friends who are showing up announcing your support of peaceful protest now:
You cheered and voted for a man who in 2015 literally called it a "disgrace" that the Black Lives Matter movement was “getting away with” protesting police brutality.
When he moved into the White House, please tell me what did you, as his supporter, say about peace when the president:
-was attacking protesting NFL players and calling for them to be fired or suspended? -said fans should leave the games in response to their protests? -encouraged violence and called on police not to be “too nice” to suspects (whom he referred to as “thugs”)?
And when the President of these United States of America called wanna be Nazis marching with torches some very fine people, did you draw the line there?
I have been watching you, praying you'd come around, and to my shock and dismay you have been utterly silent … until now. Now you show up endorsing peace.
Frankly, your silence through all of his pronouncements and judgements has been bewildering to others who have been demanding equal and just treatment from the police, equal enforcement of laws, equal protection under the laws, equal voting rights even.
In light of your complete silence in the face of ample opportunities to speak up, your sudden endorsement of peaceful protests sounds disingenuous, to say the least. While this point might upset you and make you uncomfortable, I am attempting to put it as gently as I can.
You turned a blind eye to his attacks on anyone who voiced a desire for peace and justice.
As respectfully as I can, I am telling you if you are still supporting Trump, after all of this, then no. No, I don’t need or want to hear from you about your desires for peace and harmony now. You can get down off your peace horse.
Thank you, but you’ve done quite enough already.
By the way, here are Trump’s comments on peaceful protests and the police with sources. The list is by no means exhaustive, it’s only a glimpse ….
On Black Lives Matter “I think they’re trouble. I think they’re looking for trouble. … I looked at a couple of the people that were interviewed from the group. I saw them with hate coming down the street last week talking about cops and police, and what should be done to them. And that was not good. And I think it’s a disgrace that they’re getting away with it.” Trump on Bill O Reilly in 2015
On Colin Kapernick: “I think it’s personally not a good thing. I think it’s a terrible thing. And you know, maybe he should find a country that works better for him, let him try, it won’t happen.” Trump on Dori Monson’s show on KIRO radio in Seattle in 2016 On handling suspects ”When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddywagon, you just see them thrown in, rough, I said, ‘Please don't be too nice.” Trump to law enforcement on July 28, 2017
On NFL “If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!” Twitter September 23, 2017
On NFL “I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen." Twitter October 8, 2017
On NFL “…..Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!” Twitter August 10, 2018