The president of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York said that if the movement fails to bring about meaningful change during national protests over the death of George Floyd by Minnesapolis police officers, “it will burn down this system.”
“If this country does not give us what we want, we will burn this system down and replace it. All good? And it could be speaking figuratively. It could be literally speaking. It’s a matter of interpretation, “Hawk Newsome said during an interview Wednesday night in” The Story “with Martha MacCallum.
“Let’s be very real,” he told the Fox News presenter. “Let’s look at the history of the 1960s, when blacks got into a fuss. We had the greatest growth in wealth, in property. Think back to the last few weeks since we started protesting. There have been eight police officers fired across the country. “
He said that in past incidents involving fatal encounters with citizens, police officers were always allowed due process, but when people start destroying property, things change.
“What does this country reward? What behavior are you listening to? Obviously not marching. But when people become aggressive and their protests increase, Republican police officers are fired and Republican politicians talk about police reform, “he said.
“I do not condone or condemn the riots,” Newsome continued. “But I’m only telling you what I observed.”
MacCallum asked Newsome what Black Lives Matter expected through violence.
“Wow, it’s interesting that you ask that question like this,” Newsome replied, “because this country is based on violence. What was the American revolution? What is our diplomacy around the world?
“We enter and exploit countries and replace their leaders with leaders that we like. So for any American to accuse us of being violent is extremely hypocritical, “Newsome added.
Riots have continued across the country since Floyd’s death on May 25, and protesters called for police reforms.
But protests have sometimes turned violent, with looting and arson.
Protesters have also attacked monuments and statues, including those of Confederate soldiers and the Founding Fathers, painting them with graffiti and throwing them to the ground.
Newsome said the movement is about “saving lives” and should be commended for supporting the Second Amendment.
“No one talks about ambushing the police. We are talking about protecting lives, ”he said. “There is nothing more American than that. We talk about raising and defending the Second Amendment. I think you should applaud me, seeing that you are big supporters of the Second Amendment. “
“But it seems to be the hypocrisy of the United States that when blacks start talking about arming and defending themselves, [that] talking is “violent”. But when the whites take assault rifles and go to the capitals of our states, everything is fine, “he said.
When the interview concluded, Newsome added: “I just want black liberation and black sovereignty. By whatever means necessary. “
.
