#BlackLivesMatter Activists Call Out DNC, Demand #BlackLivesMatter-Focused Debate
The official website for the #BlackLivesMatter movement today features a petition demanding that the Democratic National Committee organize another debate to focus on the issues they care about.
The petition calls out DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz and calls for more debates in general, something she has already rejected on the grounds that there will be plenty of other forums candidates will be able to engage with the American people on.
But #BlackLivesMatter wants a debate specifically addressing their issues:
It is not enough to poll the Presidential candidates on whether or not they think “Black lives matter” or “All lives matter” – we deserve substantive responses – including and in addition to criminal justice reform, what will the presidential candidates do to ensure that Black lives matter?
We deserve substance and not rhetoric.
They charge the limited number of debates “unfairly privileges some candidates over others,” and even say their support of Democrats is “reluctantly” given because they don’t adequately address the issues they care about.
Prominent activist Deray McKesson likes the idea too, but thinks it should be a town hall, not a debate:
After meeting w/ some of the presidential candidates, I'm interested in seeing if we can host a Town Hall/Forum in Feb. w/ all candidates.
— deray mckesson (@deray) October 20, 2015
I think a presidential Town Hall/Forum closer to the SC primary would be a better format re: race than a debate — q's from the audience.
— deray mckesson (@deray) October 20, 2015
[image via Shutterstock]
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