Why does Black Lives Matter go after lefty Democrats?

[Zioneer]

It seems odd that Black Lives Matter has gone after Bernie Sanders more than once. I can see them going after Martin O'Malley for obvious reasons, as well as Hillary (though it seems they haven't, I wonder why?), but why go after a guy who is most likely to agree with you in the first place? If you're determined to have criminal justice reform and so forth, why not go after Republicans that haven't talked about it at all (except for maybe Rand Paul)?

I just don't understand it.

[Mr. Morden]

They probably go after politicians whose security people are willing to let them sieze control of their campaign rally, and whose supporters in the audience they think would be sympathetic.  If they tried this at a Republican rally, they'd be shouted down quickly, and then seconds later would be escorted away by security.

[Penelope]

I think Pyrofox's post in the (admittedly low-quality) thread about this in the 2016 forum is pretty spot on.

Condemning incidences of police brutality (which Sanders has done, and has a better record than most candidates on) does not make a concrete policy proposal to solve the issue, nor does talking about past support for civil rights.  

I think this is the most important issue here and is the key to understanding why this portion of BLM chose to take the stage. It's not because he's white and they're against white people, it's because Sanders is likely the only candidate who would be willing to listen and put together a real plan to address the issues which made BLM happen. He needs to take this seriously and treat it the same as he has economic issues.

However, looking at the broader picture, is interrupting a rally the best way to make the candidates talk about the issues pertaining to black lives, or is it deterring people away? If this type of action does lead to real change and prompts Sanders to push social issues more in his campaign, then I'm all for it, but the consensus seems to be that it's hindering them more then helping.

Bolded for emphasis. BLM protesters are likely to show up at events of candidates who might not only be sympathetic to their cause, but willing to raise issues important to them during the Democratic primary.. It would be more foolish to attempt protests at the events of Republican candidates. The conservative supporters in the crowd would only be pushed further to the right. Furthermore, any GOP candidate would instantly gain a mudslinging opportunity and plenty of attention should any confrontation go viral.

Sanders is one of the few candidates, even in the Democratic primary, who might be able to raise some of the BLM issues into the political conversation. But as mentioned in this quoted post, the tactic may just turn off many otherwise progressive supporters of Sanders, etc to their cause.

[Adam Griffin]

FWIW, my local political group had some discussion about this and we actually did some digging. The Seattle people are not actually a formal BLM group or entity; they're part of a local group known as Outside Agitators 206. This Seattle BLM FB page literally went live just yesterday; the two big names involved with the stunt are the ones running both groups' pages, though they're trying to deny a connection to each other.

Go ahead and call Mara Willaford to let her know how you feel!
https://twitter.com/alyssa011968/status/503272265077628928

[SWE]

Bernie Sanders is running to the right of Hillary on criminal justice, so it makes sense BLM wouldn't be particularly fond of him.

[Marokai Backbeat]

The candidate whose campaign leaked that photo and others to fear monger to conservative Democrats is the candidate that has always consistently respected black people, you guys.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Bernie Sanders is running to the right of Hillary on criminal justice

[citation needed]

[Foucaulf]

Two things to keep in mind.

- We literally have a sample size of two on this. The way you make it a trend among the collective movement is if certain people start saying they should be arrested more frequently.

-If you take white supremacy seriously, candidates' past records don't matter much. They'll be as passive as anyone else when in office.

[Tender Branson]

Because they are nuts.

Allthough black lives matter, this silly group does not.

[Adam Griffin]

How many points would Bernie gain in the polls (and how much from Trump) if at his next rally, he brandished and announced that he will be carrying a can of bear mace and a stun gun with him on stage and will use it without impunity on anyone who attempts to take the stage? After all, someone climbing up on the stage could be prepared to stab or murder him and others. He'd truly become a man of the people then!

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

FWIW, my local political group had some discussion about this and we actually did some digging. The Seattle people are not actually a formal BLM group or entity; they're part of a local group known as Outside Agitators 206. This Seattle BLM FB page literally went live just yesterday; the two big names involved with the stunt are the ones running both groups' pages, though they're trying to deny a connection to each other.

Go ahead and call Mara Willaford to let her know how you feel!
https://twitter.com/alyssa011968/status/503272265077628928

Wouldn't be surprised if this group is involved with the same group of anarchist radicals who were always the first to escalate to violence during Occupy and the Gaza protests. It's certainly not matching up with the general MO of BLM.

[King]

Why did the Tea Party primary Eric Cantor?

[Adam Griffin]

FYI: from the original Twitter & FB Seattle BLM accts (not the ones created yesterday):

[Famous Mortimer]

Some of them are Hillary people, some of them are true leftists who think anyone against reparations is a racist.

[The Arizonan]

Why did the Tea Party primary Eric Cantor?

I'd say it's because of his support for immigration reform and supporting immigration reform has been toxic to Republican congresspeople and senators. For example, John McCain was in actual danger of losing his Senate seat in 2010 but J.D. Hayworth ran a bad campaign.

I've actually met the guy who defeated Eric Cantor in the primary last year in the Richmond area. He seems like a great guy and he was a college professor.

[Simfan34]

I think Pyrofox's post in the (admittedly low-quality) thread about this in the 2016 forum is pretty spot on.

Condemning incidences of police brutality (which Sanders has done, and has a better record than most candidates on) does not make a concrete policy proposal to solve the issue, nor does talking about past support for civil rights.  

I think this is the most important issue here and is the key to understanding why this portion of BLM chose to take the stage. It's not because he's white and they're against white people, it's because Sanders is likely the only candidate who would be willing to listen and put together a real plan to address the issues which made BLM happen. He needs to take this seriously and treat it the same as he has economic issues.

However, looking at the broader picture, is interrupting a rally the best way to make the candidates talk about the issues pertaining to black lives, or is it deterring people away? If this type of action does lead to real change and prompts Sanders to push social issues more in his campaign, then I'm all for it, but the consensus seems to be that it's hindering them more then helping.

Bolded for emphasis. BLM protesters are likely to show up at events of candidates who might not only be sympathetic to their cause, but willing to raise issues important to them during the Democratic primary.. It would be more foolish to attempt protests at the events of Republican candidates. The conservative supporters in the crowd would only be pushed further to the right. Furthermore, any GOP candidate would instantly gain a mudslinging opportunity and plenty of attention should any confrontation go viral.

Sanders is one of the few candidates, even in the Democratic primary, who might be able to raise some of the BLM issues into the political conversation. But as mentioned in this quoted post, the tactic may just turn off many otherwise progressive supporters of Sanders, etc to their cause.

I'm lost. How would verbal heckling make a candidate more disposed to support a political position being espoused by the hecklers?

The point made elsewhere about the antisemitic undercurrent running through certain segments of black activism may have something to do with it.

[Bigby]

Why did the Tea Party primary Eric Cantor?

I'd say it's because of his support for immigration reform and supporting immigration reform has been toxic to Republican congresspeople and senators. For example, John McCain was in actual danger of losing his Senate seat in 2010 but J.D. Hayworth ran a bad campaign.

I've actually met the guy who defeated Eric Cantor in the primary last year in the Richmond area. He seems like a great guy and he was a college professor.

I'll agree with that. Dave Brat is one of the only Tea Party figures left that I actually think is an amazing person.

[Mister Mets]

If they go after a Republican, the crowd won't be as nice.

If Jeb Bush gives a calm response about why a raving activist is wrong about "Stand your ground", it's likely to help his reputation. Even if the facts are on the activist's side, the optics aren't.

[Green Line]

They know liberal democrats are too afraid of being called racist to fight back, so they are easy pickings.

[ingemann]

The candidate whose campaign leaked that photo and others to fear monger to conservative Democrats is the candidate that has always consistently respected black people, you guys.

And you think a candidate who is conned into wearing a towel on his head and extra large dishtowel shouldn't be ridiculed? Do you really think any Somalians would be caught in that dress?

[Simfan34]

I'm lost, Ingemann. Obama's not Somali, and I don't think he was "conned" into wearing that.

[ingemann]

I'm lost, Ingemann. Obama's not Somali, and I don't think he was "conned" into wearing that.

It was a joke from my side and it was Somalian clothing (from north eastern Kenya, which is populated by Somalians) from what I have heard. Of course I still think it's ugly as hell, but that's likely because he doesn't carry it correct.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Bernie Sanders is running to the right of Hillary on criminal justice

[citation needed]

Agreed because this seems to be a worse lie than the Cory Gardner condomns story.

Sanders' stance on criminal justice (or at least my take on it) is the only thing keeping him as an option for me.

[Horus]

Bernie Sanders is running to the right of Hillary on criminal justice, so it makes sense BLM wouldn't be particularly fond of him.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The latest protesters were member of a group called "Outside Agitators 206". It's clear they just wanted trouble. They shut down Sanders, but declined to talk to the press. They don't give a sh**t about BLM.