A series of leaked memos from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee made its rounds on social media Wednesday — one of which included instructions on how candidates should engage with Black Lives Matter activists.
In a confidential e-mail addressed to the DCCC staff, fellow staffer Troy Perry provided a detailed explanation of the Black Lives Matter movement, describing it as a “radical movement to end ‘anti-Black racism.’ ” Sweeping criminal justice reform and an end to police brutality, among other things, were also listed as a few of the social justice organization’s primary goals.
“If approached by BLM activists, campaign staffers should offer to meet with [them],” Perry instructed in the memo. “Invited BLM attendees should be limited. Please aim for personal or small group meetings.”
https://twitter.com/KeeganNYC/status/770945087765438464
He also encouraged staffers to genuinely listen to the concerns of the activists. However, the memo’s supportive tone took a sharp turn as Perry discouraged staffers from offering “support for concrete policy positions” to movement members.
The message goes on to instruct staffers on exactly what to say when addressing BLM activists. For instance, Perry urged the DCCC staff to refrain from using phrases like “All Lives Matter” or anything that mentions Black-on-Black crime.
“These are all viewed as red herring attacks,” Perry wrote. “This response will garner additional media scrutiny and only anger BLM activists. This is the worst response.”
Leaked DCCC doc instructs Democratic candidates to not offer "concrete policy propositions" to Black Lives Matter. pic.twitter.com/WLj2oMjZXV
— zellie (@zellieimani) August 31, 2016
Instead, staffers were encouraged to foster discussion around the discriminatory policing of African-American citizens, reforms to ensure police are held accountable in cases of wrongdoing, and the rebuilding of trust between law enforcement and communities of color.
The document has since received mixed reactions from Twitter users, some of whom felt that the tactics described in the memo would be used to “appease” members of the movement. Others took issue with the DCCC’s reluctance to offer supportive policy positions. There were also a handful who saw nothing wrong with the committee’s stance and saw it as a move to ensure that staffers didn’t make promises they couldn’t deliver on.
Now you see why one if the founders of BLM is not supporting the Democrats this election season?
— B.T. Samuel (@JustBeaTee) August 31, 2016
so fascinating! "Here's how to talk to #BlackLivesMatter folks w/out saying a damn thing."
— Picture the Homeless (@pthny) August 31, 2016
Despicable and typical. "Don't offer support for concrete policy positions" is SOP. Its all platitudes &"optics"
— Tomorrow (@willsmithfocus) August 31, 2016
@2LiveUnchained but look at all the other stuff it says to do that is good. Y'all only wanna point out the bad
— Thanks Obama (@OpenYuhMind) August 31, 2016
Oh come on. This is PR 101/common sense. Don't commit your organization to things it can't deliver on or hasn't agreed to yet.
— Ricky Billingsgate (@ambivalentricky) August 31, 2016
I don't see this memo as a negative thing. There is actually some help information there.
— Carl H (@hicksca_) August 31, 2016
@BreeNewsome I don't understand outrage here. This is typical PR management. Don't make promise you can't keep.
— 01_til_infinity (@01_til_infinity) August 31, 2016
Since writing the memo, Perry has left the DCCC to go work for Hillary Clinton’s campaign, The Smoking Gun reports. The document was reportedly leaked and posted to the WordPress blog of “Guccifer 2.0,” a notorious hacker who has taken credit for breaking into the DCCC and Democratic National Committee computer systems. The hacker’s blog also features DCCC memos on ISIS, the financing of House volunteer travel and recent immigration reform proposals.
