CNN anchor Chris Cuomo gave an explanation Monday night for why largely peaceful protests across the country in the wake of George Floyd’s killing have turned violent and expressed empathy for African Americans who say they are fed up with a criminal justice system rigged against them.
“You know, we’re all so sensitive to diversity in journalism,” Cuomo told reporter Sara Sidner during live coverage of the protests. “We want so much diversity. Not just because we want everybody to look different, we want different experiences.”
Sidner, who is black, was providing coverage of rioting in Minneapolis, where the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man, in police custody had sparked a nationwide movement demanding an end to police brutality.
This isn’t journalism. This is activism. This is excusing arson, looting, rioting, and the destruction of minority-owned businesses.
This is CNN. pic.twitter.com/rHCiOwY2kW
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) June 1, 2020
“You know, Sara, you and I, we’ve worked together for a while now here, we’ve covered a lot of the same things. We don’t see anything, though, through the same eyes. You are tough. You’re tough in war. You’re tough in war on the streets,” Cuomo said of his colleague.
Among the peaceful demonstrations in Minneapolis and other cities, there have been outbreaks of looting, vandalism, and arson. Black Lives Matters organizers and members of Floyd’s family have pleaded with violent demonstrators to stop causing destruction, saying it undermines their cause and does a disservice to Floyd’s legacy.
Local law enforcement in several cities have suggested outside agitators from political or racial extremist groups have infiltrated the protests to cause chaos.
Some of the violent outbursts America has seen, Cuomo said, are justified.
“But there is hurt that you understand in this situation and that is felt by that community, and I think that’s probably the biggest motivation that we are ignoring in this right now,” he said. “Anger comes from somewhere. It comes from hurt. It’s not just angry people. We’re not savages. We’re not animals.”
“That’s right,” Sinder responded.
Cuomo continued: “When they’re hurt, people get angry when they see no other recourse.”
