Today on “MSNBC Live” a commentator seemingly defended attacks by Antifa on cops and journalists.
“There were a lot of different activists who are like, why are you in riot gear? There is not a riot here.
There is a belief, I’m not saying it is correct, but there’s a belief by many activists including Antifa, that the police tacitly support this kind of violence.”
Watch:
Transcript:
RUHLE: “Before we go, the weekend was not without conflict or acts of violence. There were some journalists who were attacked by the street protesters. Those protesters were also going after the police. They didn’t want to be on camera. They’re believed to be part of Antifa. What’s your take on this?”
JOHNSON: “You know, I didn’t see it. I know one thing when I was in Charlottesville —“
RUHLE: “OK. Well, there it is. We’re seeing it.”
JOHNSON: “There were a lot of different activists who are like, why are you in riot gear? There is not a riot here. There is a belief, I’m not saying it is correct, but there’s a belief by many activists including Antifa, that the police tacitly support this kind of violence.” [crosstalk]
RUHLE: “Where does the belief come from? I mean, come on, do you think the police — the police there were there to protect white nationalists? Do you believe that?”
JOHNSON: “When you look at how the police respond to white nationalists as opposed to Black Lives Matter protests —
RUHLE: “Yes.”
JOHNSON: “— yes, you do. Look at the number of police departments where people are caught with white nationalist tattoos, and the e-mails, and everything else that’s there. Look, I never like the idea of journalists getting attacked, but no one has a reason to believe, even when you look at how the police responded last year, when you look how they shut down the metro in D.C. toe let the guys go in, people have reason to doubt the police’s dedication to eradicating racism.”
Via USNews
