Top House Democrat: Black men can get killed and the president won’t say a word
Rep. Cedric Richmond
Cedric Levon RichmondSunday shows preview: Protests continue over shooting of Blake; coronavirus legislation talks remain at impasse The Hill’s Convention Report: Democratic National Convention kicks off virtually Hillicon Valley: ‘Fortnite’ owner sues Apple after game is removed from App Store | Federal agencies seize, dismantle cryptocurrency campaigns of major terrorist organizations MORE (D-La.) suggested President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump to visit Kenosha on Tuesday amid unrest Warner calls Intelligence chief’s decision to scale down congressional election security briefings ‘outrageous’ Katyusha rocket lands in Baghdad ‘Green Zone’: report MORE’s efforts to reach out to Black male voters won’t be effective amid protests over police brutality and what the congressmen said is Trump’s failed efforts to address issues facing Black Americans.
“Donald Trump very effectively in 2016 raised the question to Black men, ‘what do you have to lose?’” Richmond said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” when asked about Trump’s efforts to appeal to Black men.
“I think now Black men see clearly what they have to lose, they can get killed and the president won’t say a word. Won’t utter Jacob Blake’s name, will not talk about police reform,” Richmond added, referring to the Black man who was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisc. on Monday.
WATCH: @RepRichmond says “now Black men see clearly what they have to lose.” #IfItsSunday
“They can get killed and the president won’t say a word. Won’t utter Jacob Blake’s name. Won’t talk about police reform.”
“You will see [the Biden campaign] talk directly to Black men.” pic.twitter.com/SL5QOxXUQY
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 30, 2020
In addition to issues of police brutality, Richmond hit Trump over an “incompetent” response to the COVID-19 pandemic which he said is hurting Black businesses.
“You look at unemployment, Black unemployment is twice that of white unemployment. The fact that almost 40 percent of Black businesses will not survive this COVID-19 incompetent response — Black men see that,” Richmond said.
He said Democrats, in looking to boost the party’s presidential nominee Joe Biden
Joe BidenMick Mulvaney to start hedge fund Trump to visit Kenosha on Tuesday amid unrest Warner calls Intelligence chief’s decision to scale down congressional election security briefings ‘outrageous’ MORE, will talk “directly to Black men,” without making assumptions or taking them for granted.
“So whether it’s about mass incarceration, economic opportunity, homeownership, college affordability, increasing education funding, all of those things,” the congressman said. “So we’re going to go where Black men are and we’re talk to Black men about their issues, but I think they see clearly what it is they have to lose now.”
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