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Rep. John Lewis, Singer Usher and Others Attempt to Push Out Protesters Who Interrupted Hillary Clinton Atlanta Rally

Posted byBy Zellie Imani | Published on: CommentsComments (1)
TAMI CHAPPELL /REUTERS

TAMI CHAPPELL /REUTERS

Black Lives Matter protesters interrupted presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Friday while she spoke at the historically Black university, Clark Atlanta University.

Protesters chanting “Black lives matter”  and “Hell You Talm Bout” disrupted Clinton’s speech, with Clinton backers responding with chants of “Hillary, Hillary” and “Let her talk” to drown them out.

The action was organized by members of #AUCShutItDown, a coalition of students from the Atlanta University Center, which includes Spelman, Morehouse, and Clark Atlanta. The organization posted a statement on social media calling out law enforcement and university administrators for “multiple offenses committed against Black and brown lives.”

The protesters were promptly removed from the facility.

While outside of the building, politicians, clergy and R&B singer Usher, attempted to confront the protesters.

Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, also attempted to quell the student protest. In an interview he stated: “It is unfortunate that they didn’t listen to the secretary.”

Clinton’s appearance at CAU was part of her launch of “African Americans for Hillary,” a grassroots organizing event. During the event, Clinton outlined her plans for criminal justice reform and other issues important to the African American community. After the action, #AUCShutitDown posted the following statement on twitter:

The protesters stated: “We’ve been waiting for weeks to see the platform that addresses these issues from Hillary Clinton’s campaign. We will wait no more.”

Clinton has still not released her criminal justice platform.

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