Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore came under fire for claiming that the death of George Floyd was on the hands of those “capitalizing” on the situation “as much as it is those officers,” during a June 1 Livestream address about curfews and protests with Mayor Eric Garcetti.
“We did not have protests last night, we had criminal acts,” Moore said, adding that 700 people were arrested on Sunday, 70 of them for looting businesses.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore: “We didn’t have people mourning the death of this man, George Floyd. We had people capitalizing. His death is on their hands as much as it is those officers.”
The death of a man killed by officers is on the hands of the people protesting that killing? pic.twitter.com/fLUW4MSNC3
— The Implausible Girl 🔻 (@ImplausibleGrrl) June 2, 2020
“We had people mourning the death of this man, George Floyd,” Moore continued. “We had people capitalizing. His death is on their hands as much as it is those officers. And that is a strong statement, but I must say that this civil unrest that we are in the midst of, we must turn a corner from people who are involved in violence.”
Moore’s statement drew outrage on social media, with people calling on him to resign. The close spelling to the police chief’s name to documentary filmmaker Michael Moore caused the latter to trend on Twitter. In response, Michael Moore tweeted out “I’ve always wanted to say this: F-CK YOU, MICHAEL MOORE!” (sic)
Mayor Garcetti also drew backlash for nodding behind the police chief during the remarks. During his address, Garcetti said, “The peaceful protesters should be the story, not the looters,” adding, “looting sets us back for years… We’re throwing everything we have at maintaining peace, and we’re going to throw everything we have on promoting justice. And nobody out there needs to pick between those two.”
Moore apologized for his remarks a few hours later, tweeting, “I misspoke when making a statement about those engaging in violent acts following the murder of George Floyd. While I did immediately correct myself, I recognize that my initial words were terribly offensive. Looting is wrong, but it is not the equivalent of murder and I did not mean to equate the two. I deeply regret and humbly apologize for my characterization.”
While I did immediately correct myself, I recognize that my initial words were terribly offensive. Looting is wrong, but it is not the equivalent of murder and I did not mean to equate the two. I deeply regret and humbly apologize for my characterization.
— Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) June 2, 2020
“Let me be clear: the police officers involved were responsible for the death of George Floyd,” he added.
The responsibility for George Floyd’s death rests solely with the police officers involved. Chief Moore regrets the words he chose this evening and has clarified them.
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) June 2, 2020
Garcetti also responded to the controversy, tweeting, “The responsibility for George Floyd’s death rests solely with the police officers involved. Chief Moore regrets the words he chose this evening and has clarified them.”
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