Vice President Mike Pence sent out a message that was heard loud and clear on Friday during an interview with an ABC affiliate in Pennsylvania. After being asked to say “Black Lives Matter,” Pence refused to do so. To make his message clearer, he went on to claim that “All Lives Matter.”
Pence’s full response, delivered on Juneteenth, the national day commemorating the emancipation of Black U.S. slaves, was:
“Let me just say that what happened to George Floyd was a tragedy. And in this nation, especially on Juneteenth, we celebrate the fact that from the founding of this nation we’ve cherished the ideal that all, all of us are created equal, and endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. And so all lives matter in a very real sense.”
In response, anchorman Brian Taff said to Pence, “Forgive me for pressing you on this, sir, but I will note you did not say those words, ‘Black lives matter,’ and there is an important distinction. People are saying, of course, all lives matter. But to say the words is an acknowledgement that Black lives also matter at a time in this country when it appears that there’s a segment of our society that doesn’t agree. So why will you not say those words?”
“Well, I don’t accept the fact, Brian, that there’s a segment of American society that disagrees, in the preciousness and importance of every human life,” Pence replied. “And it’s one of the reasons why as we advance important reforms in law enforcement, as we look for ways to strengthen and improve our public safety in our cities, that we’re not going to stop there.”
Pence then tried to divert from his racism by touting the Trump Administration’s reduction of the Black unemployment rate before the start of the coronavirus epidemic.
“And yet, one final time, you won’t say the words and we understand your explanation,” Taff responded.
Some people responded to Pence’s remarks:
I used to do what Pence does here. Respond with “All lives matter.” But I was wrong then, and Pence is wrong now. Saying “Black Lives Matter” is acknowledging that if George Floyd were white, he’d still be alive. Black lives simply want to be on equal footing. Shame on Pence. https://t.co/EI2YiRGOCJ
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) June 19, 2020
Republicans never change. Just as Regan refused to say the word AIDS, @VP Pense refuses to say Black Lives Matter. Every time Republicans are in office people die: AIDS, SEpt. 11; Iraq War; 2008 crashed economy; Kids in cages; Muslim Ban; over 120,000 Covid-19 dead; #BLM pic.twitter.com/HU2v3wEDAr
— Jerry Saltz (@jerrysaltz) June 20, 2020
VP Pence refuses to say black lives matter on Juneteenth.
I will say it for him: Black lives matter.
Louder for those in the back?
BLACK. LIVES. MATTER.
Rights and dignity aren’t pie. More for some does not mean less for others#BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/2xZexFbPLH
— Fred Fletcher (@ChiefFletcher) June 19, 2020
.@Mike_Pence .@VP This gentleman would like to explain to you the difference between BLACK LIVES MATTER & your TRITE All lives matter comment. That comment says to the American Public that you are REALLY DO NOT want to understand SYSTEMIC RACISM & you’ve GIVEN UP on the oppressed https://t.co/T3UrFChXRx
— Joyce 2141 (@MaNH5934) June 20, 2020
Dear @VP Pence: Of course all lives matter. So why do people say black lives matter? Because the system undervalues black lives. Government has systematically murdered Black Americans for generations. That’s why millions of Americans demonstrated for change. Get it yet? https://t.co/MGTcFR6mFG
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) June 20, 2020
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