Longtime Democratic lawmaker: ‘Absolutely no comparison’ between civil rights protesters and Black Lives Matter

The Memphis Democrat argued that civil rights protesters were people of “class and character.”

“They put on their shirts and their ties and their Sunday dresses, as they called them, they looked the part,” DeBerry added. “I’m not saying there was a dress code. I’m saying that they were going to dispel any stereotype that might be thrown at them. They were going to be men and women of class and of character.”

Those characteristics aren’t present in the current Black Lives Matter movement, according to DeBerry.

“It’s like we’re trying to live up to the worst of stereotypes, the worst of behavior, the worst of perceptions,” DeBerry said. “And it’s heartbreaking to think that folks think that burning and looting and stealing … that these things build camaraderie and a good opinion.”

He continued, “I believe that peaceful protests end peacefully. And if it doesn’t, then somebody should be held accountable — be that the policeman, or authority figures, or the protesters. … When you start destroying other folks’ property, you have gone beyond what you have a right to do.”

DeBerry, who is running for reelection as an independent after being removed from the ballot by the Democratic Party because of his conservative voting record, delivered a speech earlier this month denouncing the riots and violence associated with Black Lives Matter.

“This is so different. Dr. King’s entire platform was nonviolent protest,” DeBerry said, pointing out that he attended the last speech King had made.