By Dominic Thomas-
President Trump surely owes America an apology, after appearing to have encouraged extreme group Proud Boys to attack Antifa- a group known for confronting extreme and racist groups.
The president’s equivocal response to a question designed to openly test his official position on racism, has left many shocked and in disbelief. He owes the country he so proudly claims to be the greatest nation on earth an explanation and clear request for forgiveness.
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When challenged by Fox moderator, Mr. Wallace, to condemn far right groups known for promoting sentiments of White Supremacy, Trump at first, appeared compliant, saying give me a name, give me a name, before avoiding the question asked to clarify his position as being against the extremist group. Rather, he sounded as one bonded with them with a close acquaintance.
”Proud boys, stand back and stand by, but I tell you what, somebody has got to do something about antifa and the left because this is not a right wing problem, this is a left-wing problem,’ Trump said when he was challenged to condemn white supremacists during Tuesday’s presidential debate.
Trump claimed the protests in the country on race relations were a left-wing problem.
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‘I would say almost everything I see is from the left wing, not from the right wing,’ Trump said.
The all-male group is known for its violent clashes at political rallies, and has been branded a hate group.
Focus
Antifa activists are no saints themselves, and focus on harassing right wing extremists both online and in real life. Antifa is a loose collection of local/regional groups and individuals. They appear at protests to intimidate and obstruct racists and far right groups, but the use of violent measures by some antifa against their adversaries have led to a cycle of attacks, counter-attacks and blame.
Antifa are a collection of groups, networks and individuals who believe in active, aggressive opposition to far right-wing movements. Their existence might be to counteract racism, but it creates a lot of problems of its own. That said, no American president ought to single out a group fighting racism, at the same time refusing to outrightly speak out against a group known for provoking racial tensions.
All decent Americans know there are good and bad people in every race or creed. Claims of superiority based on race is only destructive. America needs a leader who will unite the country, not target one group against another.
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Astonishing
Reaction to Trump’s words which were interpreted by many to be geared towards stoking racial tensions were widespread in America. They are the subject of thousands, if not millions of discussions at home and in social circles.
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted: ‘It’s astonishing that, when asked a simple question, will you condemn white supremacists, @POTUS responded – ‘The Proud Boys should stand back and stand by.’
‘Trying to determine if this was an answer or an admission. @POTUS owes America an apology or an explanation. Now.’
Image:CNN
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