A branch of the Black Lives Matter movement in Philadelphia has banned white people from an upcoming meeting, in what the organizers say will be a “black only space.”
The meeting, which takes place April 15th, invites people to “meet, strategize and organize” events and is apparently family-friendly, with families encouraged to bring their children along as well.
All Hispanic and. Whites who support #BlacklivesMatter @BLMPhilly says you are not welcome at meetings and you can't attend.
— Sharika Soal (@LadyThriller69) April 3, 2017
After criticism directed at the decision, the group defended their policy, stating that “If you identify as a person of the African Diaspora you can attend our meetings and become a member. If not you can support us in other ways.”
If you identify as a person of the African Diaspora You can attend our meetings and become a member. If not you can support us in other ways https://t.co/GTCkKVC7xV
— BLM Philly (@BLMPhilly) April 3, 2017
One Twitter user suggested that Martin Luther King Jr. would never have supported such a policy, and the group simply said that “he made that choice and we have made ours.”
Look very closely at this photo of MLK marching for black rights. As you can see white people are with him. So why is @BLMPhilly saying no? pic.twitter.com/e29ddQCuHn
— Sharika Soal (@LadyThriller69) April 3, 2017
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