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gobears10

(310 posts)
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 08:37 PM Aug 2015

There is no excuse for what the protesters did to Bernie.

Today, Bernie Sanders was invited to an event in downtown Seattle celebrating Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Bernie was asked to come speak about praising the success of these programs and expanding them. However, before he could speak, the event was hijacked and shut down by individuals who are organizers for the ‪#?BlackLivesMatter‬ movement.

As Bernie was being introduced by rally organizers, a few BLM protesters (three women) got on stage and demanded the mic. The rally organizer didn't want to yield the mic, but Bernie went ahead and told the organizer to give the BLM protesters a chance to speak. Bernie stepped off to the side of the stage. The young woman at the mic first gave a sarcastic list of welcomes to Bernie "From Seattle, which was stolen from the Duwamish..." etc.

The speaking protester (claiming to the be co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter's Washington state division) brought up incarceration rates, gentrification, etc. in Seattle, and then asked for a four and a half minute moment of silence for Michael Brown. The crowd managed to keep quiet enough, and the moment of silence was held. The speaking protester then began to make accusations against Bernie and asked him to apologize for his behavior at the Netroots Nation conference, at which point the crowd grew very restless and wanted to listen to him speak. Then, the speaking protester said that Bernie and the white progressives in the crowd were all racists, claiming that they were "white supremacist liberals."

A rally organizer wanted to give the mic to Bernie, but Bernie wanted to resolve the protest, and the gave to mic to someone else (it liked like another rally organizer) who talked about how everyone in attendance was supportive of the BLM movement. However the BLM protesters were very aggressive, rowdy, and threatening, and made it clear that they wouldn't leave the stage until they got another chance with the mic. After several side discussions with campaign workers and others, Sanders appeared to have come to the conclusion that he would not have the chance to speak at the rally, and decided to leave the stage and then made a long walk weaving through the crowd shaking hands with supporters.

I support the overall goals of BLM, but I thought the actions of the protesters today were pathetic, shameful, and disgraceful. The protesters claimed that Bernie didn't say anything about criminal justice reform, but he talked about it in depth at the SCLC and the Urban League. The BLM protesters claim that the event was xenophobic and white supremacist, but that doesn't make any sense given the speakers (Seattle Councilwoman Kshama Sawant was a speaker). Bernie probably has the strongest civil rights record in Congress, and has been explicitly focusing on structural racism. It makes no sense to me that the BLM movement is singling him out for disruptions and harsh criticism when Republicans and establishment Dems are given a pass.

Systemic racism is an important issue, and I hope BLM can find better leadership to pursue the cause. Code Pink slamming Condi is one thing, same with AIDS activists condemning Reagan, but this group taking their frustrations out on Bernie Sanders is BULLSHIT.

Jeb Bush said Black Lives Matter is politically correct nonsense. Ben Carson also said BLM is "PC gone amok." Yet, I haven't seen BLM interrupt them, calling them "white supremacists," or disrupt their rallies and events.

We've seen #BernieSoBlack, #RedefineProgressive blasting Bernie on twitter, etc. All of which I would have been okay with if BLM also targeted Hillary, and all the other candidates including the GOP ones, with the same level of criticism. But BLM has definitely singled him out to protest and disrupt. They haven't targeted Hillary at all. In fact, a BLM representative praised Hillary on MSNBC while basically calling Bernie Sanders a "phony."

I'm just very disappointed.

45 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
There is no excuse for what the protesters did to Bernie. (Original Post) gobears10 Aug 2015 OP
the 3 Rosa Luxemburg Aug 2015 #1
they will bear the burden of everyone's anger. roguevalley Aug 2015 #5
My advice to Bernie Gman Aug 2015 #2
Those UNRULY negroes were so scary. bravenak Aug 2015 #3
People are going to start tuning them out ibegurpard Aug 2015 #9
No they won't. You wish they would cause you want to. bravenak Aug 2015 #11
sorry ibegurpard Aug 2015 #13
See what I mean... bravenak Aug 2015 #14
No. FlatBaroque Aug 2015 #15
I'm not dismissing the issues ibegurpard Aug 2015 #17
Not ruling me out. sheshe2 Aug 2015 #16
Will you promote it loudly zentrum Aug 2015 #28
So when are these BLM protesters going to start targetting Republicans? davidn3600 Aug 2015 #36
Exactly, brave.. BS doesn't know how to engage #BlackLivesMatter Activists.. has he never heard of Cha Aug 2015 #37
more like this will keep happening until Bernie Sanders learns 2pooped2pop Aug 2015 #40
Yeah, that's the bernies' mindset.. don't engage.. "throw them out on their asses".. I dare him. Cha Aug 2015 #41
so in your mind he is suppose to shut up and sit the fuck down? 2pooped2pop Aug 2015 #43
that's not what I said.. at all. Cha Aug 2015 #44
Nailed it. zappaman Aug 2015 #10
Bernie Sanders did not act like that... ljm2002 Aug 2015 #21
they were out of control. screaming threatening demeaning others cali Aug 2015 #22
I saw a clip of it on the local news MissDeeds Aug 2015 #35
Maybe can we try the GOP next time? Phlem Aug 2015 #25
Nobody was saying or thinking that. Ken Burch Aug 2015 #33
I don't think you are being fair. passiveporcupine Aug 2015 #38
not scary. bratty 2pooped2pop Aug 2015 #39
Yeah, so were those Muslims. Fawke Em Aug 2015 #45
Agree, smells completely rotten dreamnightwind Aug 2015 #4
There's no reason we can't advocate for all Hydra Aug 2015 #18
It's absolutely not right dreamnightwind Aug 2015 #19
There may never be actionable evidence for it Hydra Aug 2015 #23
Ready, fire, aim seveneyes Aug 2015 #6
Anarchy is becoming an acceptable alternative to civility. n/t Binkie The Clown Aug 2015 #7
Bernie will need better security from now on at his public rallies. pa28 Aug 2015 #8
Today's protesters are the leaders of themselves. Please don't give them a promotion based on today Cheese Sandwich Aug 2015 #12
Based on that press release they are now more than welcome... truebrit71 Aug 2015 #24
Wholeheartedly agree. (n/t) WorseBeforeBetter Aug 2015 #34
I would like to know exactly who these 3 woman are and if somebody gave them Marching Orders.. BlueJazz Aug 2015 #20
you'll get "It doesn't matter" Phlem Aug 2015 #27
You're probably right. I DO wish some "Detective type" person would find out who they are... BlueJazz Aug 2015 #31
Clearly that sentiment is not shared by at least 3 people in Seattle. HereSince1628 Aug 2015 #26
I think BLM is tareting Bernie because he is the only one who will listen. jalan48 Aug 2015 #29
Barking up the wrong tree......wonder if the repugs are behind this. W T F Aug 2015 #30
No, there is not. And they do not represent anyone but themselves. It totally backfired sabrina 1 Aug 2015 #32
They did him, and us, a huge favor. I reckon he'll be up another 5 to 10 points in Zorra Aug 2015 #42

Rosa Luxemburg

(28,627 posts)
1. the 3
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 08:41 PM
Aug 2015

I don't think the three people who interrupted Bernie's speech tonight were supposed to do that according to BLM.

ibegurpard

(16,685 posts)
9. People are going to start tuning them out
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 09:06 PM
Aug 2015

Seattle is a lily-white liberal city. If you want allies for your cause you're likely to lose many of them by calling them racists...whether it's true or not. Black Lives Matter as any kind of organization needs to do some serious organizing and strategizing or they risk just being ignored. And as a movement that can't be allowed to happen.

 

bravenak

(34,648 posts)
11. No they won't. You wish they would cause you want to.
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 09:10 PM
Aug 2015

But we are going to promote the cause LOUDLY. How they hell can a person be president if this breaks them down? Obama got heckled by a fucking congressman during the SOTU. This is not the apocalypse. You guys overreact and threaten to remove supoort from black lives and we think it's racist so more heckling to come.

ibegurpard

(16,685 posts)
13. sorry
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 09:14 PM
Aug 2015

My outrage at institutional racism and police abuse will continue regardless of what misguided protesters do.

 

davidn3600

(6,342 posts)
36. So when are these BLM protesters going to start targetting Republicans?
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 11:46 PM
Aug 2015

I'm sure they will...but only after Hillary has the nomination, right?

Cha

(295,899 posts)
37. Exactly, brave.. BS doesn't know how to engage #BlackLivesMatter Activists.. has he never heard of
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 12:08 AM
Aug 2015

coalition building? So he's "disappointed" because he came to talk about "Social Security and Medicare".. which these Black kids being murdered by police will have no chance.

This Will Keep Happening Until Bernie Sanders Learns

snip//

Instead too many of you are on Twitter right now whitesplaining and lecturing and talking down to black folks and people of all hues who happen to see this through the lens of the same team. Oh, yeah, that's a real bright idea for winning this campaign. Let's go on Twitter and troll the black people about how they don't understand Bernie.

Bernie handled it badly again today. He left the stage and went shaking hands among the white people in the crowd. He told a reporter that the protesters "don't want to listen to anything." Just like in Phoenix, he ran.

Contrast that will how Martin O'Malley handled the #BlackLivesMatter Protest in Phoenix .. he shut up. sat down and listened, and listened a lot more. Went through out to conference all the damn day seeking to listen to people of color who would talk to him. And, since then he has put out the most progressive and detailed policy proposals on controlling police violence, prison and criminal justice reform and related matters. You don't see people protesting at his rallies. They probably will soon enough but, he'll know how to respond unlike your guy."

Much more.. worth the read.. https://www.tsu.co/AlGiordano/75250428





 

2pooped2pop

(5,420 posts)
40. more like this will keep happening until Bernie Sanders learns
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:18 AM
Aug 2015

to throw them out on their asses.

Cha

(295,899 posts)
41. Yeah, that's the bernies' mindset.. don't engage.. "throw them out on their asses".. I dare him.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:48 AM
Aug 2015
 

2pooped2pop

(5,420 posts)
43. so in your mind he is suppose to shut up and sit the fuck down?
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:30 AM
Aug 2015

Just kiss their asses forever? How long is he suppose to put up with this kind of shit before he has to take action? He'll talk, no problem. But have them dog him at every meeting? Hell no. Enough is enough. WHy Bernie of all of them, why Bernie. Money. someone is paying someone.

Yeah, he tried to let them talk, but to let them show that he is too weak to toss em out? No fucking way. Enough.

I was proud when I watched the Ferguson protest. I respected them. I wanted to join them in the protest. But now with this group protesting the only one that would be of use to them if elected just makes me think they are dumber than a box of fucking rocks.

Yeah, lets just let them fucking take over every rally, every meeting. Fuck no

ljm2002

(10,751 posts)
21. Bernie Sanders did not act like that...
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 09:43 PM
Aug 2015

...and your characterization of the OP is unfair to say the least.

So do you think Bernie Sanders has been singled out by Black Lives Matter? If so, why? He has spoken out on the issues that face the black community, including high unemployment, high incarceration rates, and unfair and often brutal treatment by law enforcement. He made it a point to say Sandra Bland's name after the Netroots Nation incident, and he has brought it up several times. And his long-time record on civil rights is well-known.

Everyone keeps saying he needs to do more. What would you suggest he do more of?

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
22. they were out of control. screaming threatening demeaning others
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 09:47 PM
Aug 2015

Calling Sanders and the audience white supremacists. You may agree with them but it it's only damaging the movement. BLM needs allies.

 

MissDeeds

(7,499 posts)
35. I saw a clip of it on the local news
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 11:40 PM
Aug 2015

Bernie extended a hand to one of the women and she refused to shake his hand. He then stepped back, giving them the chance to speak.

Bernie showed them a lot more respect than they showed him.

 

Ken Burch

(50,254 posts)
33. Nobody was saying or thinking that.
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 11:40 PM
Aug 2015

But all those women did was to disrupt someone who had done nothing to deserve their anger. And #BowDownBernie (thehashtag blm Seattle launched to justify this)? What the hell is THAT?

There's no reason to silence somebody who agrees with you, and targeting the white left for "calling out" achieves nothing.

They need to at least do the decent thing and leave Bernie's rally alone tonight.

passiveporcupine

(8,175 posts)
38. I don't think you are being fair.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 12:13 AM
Aug 2015

If BLM wanted to talk to Bernie about institutional racism in this country, they would not approach him this way. I am starting to think they don't want to talk to him at all. The only thing they intended to do here was insult him and prevent him from speaking at a meeting where the topic was supposed to be about Social Security and Medicare...not racism. That was not his choice.

Why don't they approach him and sit down and tell him what they want him to do? If you are trying to work with someone for change, you don't start off by insulting them.

I don't know why you can't see this.

 

2pooped2pop

(5,420 posts)
39. not scary. bratty
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:15 AM
Aug 2015

and you only give in so far to people who want to act like that. A lot of people traveled to see Bernie, not 3 women with their own agenda. They tried letting them have their say but that was not enough. I don't think anything would have been enough. They just caused the one step forward, two steps back rule to activate. Two steps back. Try again.

Fawke Em

(11,366 posts)
45. Yeah, so were those Muslims.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:32 AM
Aug 2015

Go head to head again with me.

YOU are shot and killed. People like my son are shot, killed and demonized.

Alert me again.

dreamnightwind

(4,775 posts)
4. Agree, smells completely rotten
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 08:51 PM
Aug 2015

Perhaps it's time to stop saying we support BLM and start saying we support black lives.

I don't know, depends on whether this is the group doing this or just a few outliers, but the group has had plenty of opportunity to distance themselves from focusing on Sanders and they have not. The apology was pretty specifically phrased to be about calling people that wanted to hear Bernie speak "white supremacist liberals". IMO they jumped the shark, with me at least.

Hydra

(14,459 posts)
18. There's no reason we can't advocate for all
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 09:31 PM
Aug 2015

I support the AA cause, and was right with them when the flag came down...but BLM coordinated with the Hillary campaign to damage a civil rights supporter.

That's just not right.

dreamnightwind

(4,775 posts)
19. It's absolutely not right
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 09:35 PM
Aug 2015

though we don't know for sure thaat they coordinated with the Clinton campaign, there might be some other explanation, whatever it is is messed up.

I no longer have any sympathy for BLM, they have establshed themselves as part of the problem, not part of the solution. I have a lot of sympathy for what they are supposedly about. So does Bernie.

Hydra

(14,459 posts)
23. There may never be actionable evidence for it
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 10:10 PM
Aug 2015

But every one of the usual suspects here were on the issue almost the same moment the Netroots incident happened, all singing on key with the exact same talking points and sounding perfectly prepared. I gave the group the chance to do the right thing and use the momentum they suddenly had, and they squandered it to help HRC, who is most assuredly NOT their friend.

In the process, they also hurt my advocacy for equal rights and economic rights, but at least it was short lived, and they have actually catapulted the movement back into place by their actions.

pa28

(6,145 posts)
8. Bernie will need better security from now on at his public rallies.
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 09:02 PM
Aug 2015

He's not going to lose any votes by having bullying, threatening disruptors escorted from the stage. He might even gain some.

 

Cheese Sandwich

(9,086 posts)
12. Today's protesters are the leaders of themselves. Please don't give them a promotion based on today
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 09:12 PM
Aug 2015

The group that staged today's #BowDownBernie event have only set up their facebook yesterday...

PRESS RELEASE: Black Lives Matter Seattle ‪#?BowDownBernie‬ Action

MEDIA CONTACTS: Marissa Johnson blacklivesmatterseattle@gmail.com

Black Lives Matter Seattle organizers and supporters take over Bernie Sanders’ rally at Westlake on Saturday, August 8, 2015.
Today BLM Seattle, with the support of other Black organizers and non-Black allies and accomplices, held Bernie Sanders publicly accountable for his lack of support for the Black Lives Matter movement and his blatantly silencing response to the ‪#?SayHerName‬ ‪#?IfIDieInPoliceCustody‬ action that took place at Netroots this year.

https://www.facebook.com/BLMSeattle/posts/716844418437393

Meanwhile other, more well know Seattle #blackLivesMatter activists have distanced themselves from the action...

Which you can read here:
https://twitter.com/blm_seattle

And elsewhere online

 

truebrit71

(20,805 posts)
24. Based on that press release they are now more than welcome...
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 10:17 PM
Aug 2015

Last edited Sun Aug 9, 2015, 12:10 AM - Edit history (1)

... to go pound sand...

 

BlueJazz

(25,348 posts)
20. I would like to know exactly who these 3 woman are and if somebody gave them Marching Orders..
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 09:35 PM
Aug 2015

...and or money to pull a stunt like that.

Phlem

(6,323 posts)
27. you'll get "It doesn't matter"
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 11:29 PM
Aug 2015

or "How dare you ask".

You can't win for trying.

I'll tell you what, this act was belligerent and uninformed to the extreme.

They created more discord amongst their supporters than the positive outcome I think they wished to achieve. Clearly there is a disconnect between allies and enemies.

Let's see how well that plays out.

 

BlueJazz

(25,348 posts)
31. You're probably right. I DO wish some "Detective type" person would find out who they are...
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 11:38 PM
Aug 2015

...and IF they were smart enough to pull a stunt like that. We all know the repugs will do anything short of murder to win.
Strike the "short of murder" in the last sentence.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
32. No, there is not. And they do not represent anyone but themselves. It totally backfired
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 11:39 PM
Aug 2015

and Hillary is getting the blame, rightly or wrongly. Meantime the event was spectacular with over 15,000 people attending, filled to capacity with 3,000 having to listen from outside.

Zorra

(27,670 posts)
42. They did him, and us, a huge favor. I reckon he'll be up another 5 to 10 points in
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:55 AM
Aug 2015

polls next week, at Hillary's expense. Bernie should offer them a mic, free beer, and hot dogs to show up at more gigs.

Totally rad entertainment.

Go #BLM!!!

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