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The chief of the Los Angeles Police Department lit into rioters but then quickly apologized for saying the death of George Floyd was “on their hands.”
Chief Michel Moore came under fire as soon as he called out the rampant rioting and looting in the California city, with critics calling for his resignation because he condemned actions by protesters that seemed to show no respect for the memory of Floyd, the unarmed black man who died last week after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck during an arrest.
(Source: Twitter)
During a news briefing Monday, Moore explained that Los Angeles had “just under 700 arrests” in the demonstrations and rioting the night before.
“Of that, just under 70 were for looting and burglarizing,” he told reporters.
“We didn’t have protests last night, we had criminal acts. We didn’t have people mourning the death of this man, George Floyd. We had people capitalizing,” Moore said in following remarks.
“His death is on their hands as much as it is those officers,” he added.
“And that is a strong statement but I must say that this civil unrest that we are in the midst of, we must turn a corner from people who are involved in violence, people who are involved in preying on others,” the chief said before Mayor Eric Garcetti took the podium.
But soon after the mayor’s remarks, Moore returned to the microphone to clarify his comments.
“I misspoke when I said his blood was on their hands,” he said, “but certainly their actions do not serve the enormity of his loss. What his name should stand for is the catalyst for change. I regret the remarks of that characterization, but I don’t regret, nor will I apologize to those out there creating destruction. His memory deserves better.”
The police chief drove the point home as he attempted to impose the politically correct clean up of his words.
“His death was at the hands of those police officers. What I saw there wasn’t right,” he emphasized.
Outrage followed his remarks as angry Twitter users spread the video clip of Moore and called for him to be fired or resign.
Chief Moore revealed his true heart. Keeping him in place would be as ill-advised as allowing a surgeon to operate on a child after he clearly stated that he detests kids. FIRE HIM.
— Lyle Milton (@lyle_lmilton) June 2, 2020
How are looters responsible for a murder that happened before the looting?
— GHOSTS! I N S P A C E ! ! ! (@HereOnPoppyHill) June 2, 2020
this guy is a moron and is a huge part of the problem
— Mary (@stringoflightsx) June 2, 2020
Moore soon took to social media to quell the fire.
“Let me be clear,” he wrote, “there are 4 police officers and 4 alone responsible for the death of George Floyd.”
Let me be clear—there are 4 police officers and 4 alone responsible for the death of George Floyd.
Simply put: Those intent on spewing mayhem and distraction into our communities are a disgrace to his memory.
— Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) June 2, 2020
In another tweet, he used the word “apology” to clarify his remarks.
“My Apology for Remark Regarding the Death of George Floyd During a Press Conference Earlier Today: I misspoke when making a statement about those engaging in violent acts following the murder of George Floyd,” Moore tweeted.
My Apology for Remark Regarding the Death of George Floyd During a Press Conference Earlier Today:
I misspoke when making a statement about those engaging in violent acts following the murder of George Floyd.
— Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) June 2, 2020
He went on to acknowledge that his ” initial words were terribly offensive,” and that looting “is not the equivalent of murder.”
“I deeply regret and humbly apologize for my characterization,” Moore wrote. “Let me be clear: the police officers involved were responsible for the death of George Floyd.”
Let me be clear: the police officers involved were responsible for the death of George Floyd.
— Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) June 2, 2020
The mayor also addressed the police chief’s comments, tweeting that Moore “regrets the words he chose.”
The responsibility for George Floyd’s death rests solely with the police officers involved. Chief Moore regrets the words he chose this evening and has clarified them.
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) June 2, 2020
Apparently Garcetti was also on the chopping block as Twitter users blasted him as well as Moore.
He should lose his job. But also you. You should lose your job too.
— Brendel (@Brendelbored) June 2, 2020
Resign. You are done.
— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) June 2, 2020
Mayor Garcetti: Clarification isn’t needed. #ChiefMoore knew what he said about #GeorgeFlyod and meant it. He needs to go.
— janet (@janetrunyan_) June 2, 2020
Eric Garcetti @MayorOfLA FIRE Moore or you’ll be forcibly removed from office. This is not a threat, but a promise. Your move.
— Dr. Paul (@ImPaul_Hey) June 2, 2020
A petition launched to fire Moore has garnered over 3,000 signatures so far.
But not everyone was convinced that the police chief was off the mark in his initial comments.
If you were out in L.A. last night, you weren’t protesting, you were looting. There was a curfew at 6pm last night. So you’re effectively being complicit in the violence that happened to George Floyd. So he’s actually got a point.
— Jim LOVES YOU & WANTS YOU TO PROTEST PEACEFULLY (@OhHungryBoy) June 2, 2020
He’s being blunt but he’s not wrong. They are making a mockery of his death. Sad!
— Mike Fink, King of the River (@MikeFinkKOTR) June 2, 2020
He needs to be promoted! He spoke more for George Floyd than these looters and anarchists have. I’m sure George Floyd would never condone these acts of violence and even now murder of innocent people especially in his name.
— Real Nanny (@RealNanny1) June 2, 2020
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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