Following the Dallas police shootings that killed five police officers, Black Lives Matter leaders and supporters have condemned the attack, calling for “an end to violence, not an escalation of it,” contradicting the narrative communicated by various corners of the media.
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While the shootings took place at a protest which was being held in reaction to the latest fatal shootings of black men by police, the movement has stressed that it does not condone the violence carried out against law enforcement.
“Black activists have raised the call for an end to violence, not an escalation of it,” it said in a statement. “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.”
Malkika Cyril of the Center for Media Justice called for an end to police and vigilante violence.
Shaun King, a commenter on police brutality, called the violence against the police “wrong” and said he hates police brutality, but not the police.
Others stressed that the Dallas protest was peaceful, and urged people not to allow it to be framed as Black Lives Matter attack.
Black Lives Matter faced attacks by elements of the media, which jumped to frame the killings as the work of Black Lives Matter.
The Blaze’s Tomi Lahren compared Black Lives Matter to the Klu Klux Klan, inviting anger and scorn that led her to delete the tweet.
She also asked if President Barack Obama and Loretta Lynch would condemn the attacks, likely targeting them because they are black.
The Drudge Report was quick to attribute the murders to the movement.
The New York Post declared a “civil war” before the details were established, which drew condemnation by many across social media.
Republican Congressman Joe Walsh also described the events in Dallas as a war. “Watch out Obama. Watch out black lives matter punks. Real America is coming after you.” he announced in the first of a series of angry tweets.
Read more: ‘Now it’s war. Watch out Obama & BlackLivesMatter punks’ – ex-Congressman Joe Walsh
While Fox News continues to attribute the attack to Black Lives Matter.
Many people pointed to the danger and inaccuracy in blaming the actions of an individual on a group.