Supporters of Black Lives Matter interrupted a Hillary Clinton rally in Atlanta Friday, breaking out into chants of “Black lives matter” and also singing the popular anthem by Janelle Monáe and Wondaland, “Hell You Talmbout,” which is dedicated to the movement.
NBC News reports that while the Democratic presidential hopeful was talking about civil rights and the challenges of today’s society, she was interrupted by the supporters, who burst into chants and song. Clinton was quick to acknowledge the protesters, agreeing in response to the chants of “Black lives matter” with, “Yes, they do, and I’m going to talk about that in a minute.”
Clinton supporters started counterchanting, “Hillary” but eventually quieted as Clinton continued to address the Black Lives Matter supporters.
“Now, my friends, I am going to get to some very important points that actually prove that black lives do matter, and we have to take action together,” Clinton said. “And I hope that we’ll have a chance to talk more, as I have been meeting with activists from the Black Lives Matter movement.
“So to all the young people here today, those who are listening and those who are singing, let me say this: We need you. We need the promise of a rising generation of activists and organizers who are fearless in your advocacy and determination,” Clinton added as she continued her speech. “And I understand and I appreciate their passion and their urgency. But as I told them then, we have to come together as a nation to make the changes that they are calling for.”
During her remarks, Clinton vowed to take executive action as president to “ban the box” in the federal government and also came down strong in calling for an end to racial profiling across all law enforcement, while also tackling the sentencing disparities between cases involving crack versus those involving cocaine.
Read more at NBC News.