Sheriff’s Candidate Clarifies His Views On Black Lives Matter. – The Rhino Times of Greensboro – The Rhino TImes

Former Guilford County Sheriffs Department Chief Deputy Edward Melvin, a candidate in the 2022 race for Guilford County sheriff, is offering some clarification on a remark he made in the Rhino Times regarding the group Black Lives Matter.

In the article, he said that he was so against Black Lives Matter.

The point he wanted to make, Melvin said later, was that he was opposed to some of the tactics that are used by some of those in the group.

He wrote the following in an email to the Rhino Times.

To clarify my position relating to BLM: I understand there are certain groups or chapters of BLM that do not advocate for violence, defunding police or destruction of property in their quest to make their voices heard. I have zero issues with that and my position was not directed to those chapters or Groups. However, Im not a supporter of any group or movement that advocates for defunding the police, violence against others or destruction of someone elses property.

Black Lives Matter, like the Republican Party and the Democratic party, contains a number of disparate elements. The groups website, Blacklivesmatter.com acknowledges that BLM has a wide variety of members. The webpage states that the group is a collective of liberators who believe in an inclusive and spacious movement.

We affirm the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, undocumented folks, folks with records, women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum, it reads. Our network centers on those who have been marginalized within Black liberation movements.

Melvin said, after the Rhino Times article came out, that he had quickly heard some concern from Black Live Matter advocates and thought it was important to be more nuanced in his message.

#BlackLivesMatter was founded almost a decade ago in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martins murderer. Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada. The stated mission of the group is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.

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Sheriff's Candidate Clarifies His Views On Black Lives Matter. - The Rhino Times of Greensboro - The Rhino TImes