Hillary Clinton yelled over chanting Black Lives Matter activists during her speech at an African Americans for Hillary event in Atlanta on Friday afternoon, possibly their most contentious exchange to date.
The Black Lives Matter activists began singing soon into Clinton’s speech. As the crowd began to chant “Black Lives Matter!” she acknowledged them stating, “Yes Black Lives Matter! And I am going to say some things to prove that black lives do matter!”
As the Democratic front-runner went on to talk about her support of the African American community and the civil rights movement, the Black Lives Matter activists sang over her speech. Many of those in the crowd reportedly could barely hear the presidential candidate, even though she was screaming her words.
Some supporters in the crowd chanted “Hil-la-ry! Hil-la-ry! Hil-la-ry!” to drown out Blacks Lives Matter, but they refused to be silenced.
“To those who are listening and those who are singing, we need you,” Clinton said. “Actually a few weeks ago I sat down with the people here and they were full of ideas … and I understand and appreciate their passion and urgency. And as I told them then we need to come together as a nation to create the changes they are calling for.”
Clinton has met with Black Lives Matter multiple times on the campaign trail.
Finally she said “Now friends I have some things to discuss and proposals to make, and if our friends will let me they may actually like what I’m saying!” as Hillary supporters chanted “Let her talk! Let her talk! Let her talk!”
Eventually police escorted out the protestors’ arm-in arm as the crowds cheered.
Once the protestors were gone, Clinton confidently detailed her criminal justice platform of ending racial profiling, the era of mass incarceration, private prisons and the disparity in sentencing between crack and cocaine.
She told the crowd, “Race still plays a significant role in determining who gets ahead in America and who gets left behind.”
Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) introduced Clinton, speaking of his involvement in the civil rights movement in Alabama before concluding that “Hillary Clinton is the right choice for President!”
