Black Lives Matter continues to assert that police officers are systemically racist and otherwise out to harm black Americans. During Black Lives Matter protests, participants have called for the defunding, abolition, and even death of police officers.
Critics of the Black Lives Matter movement often assert that black-on-black crime happens at multiple times the rate of police officers killing black Americans. Typically, when this data is brought up, Black Lives Matter and their supporters claim that “black-on-black crime” is a racist talking point.
However, black-on-black crime claimed the life of an 8-year-old Atlanta girl Secoriea Turner, reports Fox News. The child’s death prompted remarks from Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Bottoms condemned the shooting, even branded the perpetrators as “cowards.”
What to Know About the Murder of Secoriea Turner
The murder of the 8-year-old occurred on Saturday night after Black Lives Matter demonstrators unleashed fire into a moving vehicle.
This incident occurred when Secoriea’s parents attempted to move past unlawful barriers blocking a street in Atlanta. Sadly, yet ironically, this happened near the Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks died after attacking police and stealing a taser.
Mayor Bottoms & Interim Chief Bryant speak on 8-year-old murdered over the holiday weekend. https://t.co/iCjls5QC47
— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) July 5, 2020
Secoriea’s murder also occurred on the same night that demonstrators attempted to burn down the Georgia State Patrol Building.
Statements from the Atlanta Mayor
Yesterday night, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms condemned the shooting and killing of the 8-year-old. The Atlanta mayor also noted that the death of Secoriea cannot be blamed on law enforcement officers. Bottoms stated that black Americans are currently doing one another “more harm than any officer on this force.”
"They say Black Lives Matter. You killed your own." Secoriya Williamson, father of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner, addressed the public during a press conf. today after his daughter was shot and killed last night while riding in a car w/ her mother in Southeast Atlanta. @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/odowRbSXsq
— Natisha Lance (@NatishaLance) July 5, 2020
Secoriea’s parent’s also delivered statements after Mayor Bottom’s remarks. The late child’s mother and father noted that their daughter did nothing wrong. They also condemned the shooters who affiliated themselves with Black Lives Matter yet “killed [their] own.”
Some Americans have criticized the Atlanta mayor for a permissive stance towards Black Lives Matter demonstrators. Critics argued that Bottoms shouldn’t have allowed demonstrators to set up illegal barriers in the streets of Atlanta; they also pointed out that the mayor’s order for police officers to “stand down” in certain areas ultimately enabled the death of Secoriea.
What do you think about Mayor Bottoms’ management of the city of Atlanta? Do you think allowing Atlanta police officers to do their jobs would have prevented the death of Secoriea Turner? Let us know in the comments section below!
