Activists from the Black Lives Matter movement have responded to Thursday night's shooting in Dallas which killed five police officers.
In a statement released on their website, the activists condemned the shooting and disassociated themselves from the shooter. They've also said that placing blame on a whole movement for one individual's actions is irresponsible.
"There are some who would use these events to stifle a movement for change and quicken the demise of a vibrant discourse on the human rights of Black Americans. We should reject all of this," the movement stated.
The statement goes on to say, "black activists have raised the call for an end to violence, not an escalation of it. Yesterday’s attack was the result of the actions of a lone gunman."
Cable news host Tomi Lahren criticized Black Lives Matter on Twitter calling them the new KKK. She believes their protests have helped perpetuate a "war on cops."
Her tweet has since been deleted but that has not stopped many from responding to Lahren. A petition to Lahren's employer asking for her removal has already received at least 16,000 signatures.
Before the shooting, Black Lives Matter protesters were seen marching alongside police. Dallas PD tweeted pictures of police officers interacting with activists who were protesting the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
Demonstration in #Dallas @ Belo Garden Park pic.twitter.com/IUx5IaERSB
— Dallas Police Depart (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016
Something people should understand nationally -- BLM & Dallas PD have respect for each other. DPD was protecting marchers. Snipers did this.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) July 8, 2016
Here is the Black Lives Matter movement's full statement:
"In the last few days, this country witnessed the recorded murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile at the hands of police, the latest victims in this country’s failed policing system. As we have done for decades, we marched and protested to highlight the urgent need to transform policing in America, to call for justice, transparency and accountability, and to demand that Black Lives Matter.
In Dallas, many gathered to do the same, joining in a day of action with friends, family, and co-workers. Their efforts were cut short when a lone gunman targeted and attacked 11 police officers, killing five. This is a tragedy–both for those who have been impacted by yesterday’s attack and for our democracy. There are some who would use these events to stifle a movement for change and quicken the demise of a vibrant discourse on the human rights of Black Americans. We should reject all of this.
Black activists have raised the call for an end to violence, not an escalation of it. Yesterday’s attack was the result of the actions of a lone gunman. To assign the actions of one person to an entire movement is dangerous and irresponsible. We continue our efforts to bring about a better world for all of us."
