The Rock posted an Instagram video Wednesday night in which he called out President Donald Trump for his lack of leadership after the killing of George Floyd.
“Where is our leader at this time, at this time when our country is down on its knees begging, pleading, hurt, angry, frustrated, in pain? Begging and pleading with its arms out, just wanting to be heard. … We must say the words Black Lives Matter,” The Rock said.
Trump has been combative with protesters, calling them “thugs” and threatening violence against demonstrators in Minneapolis last week. Twitter flagged his tweet suggesting looters would be shot for glorifying violence.
The president took things a step further as protests spread nationwide over the weekend, threatening military intervention in a speech Monday. Protesters at the White House were then dispersed with the use of tear gas so Trump could walk to St. John’s Church and stand for a photo-op while holding a Bible.
“There is military force that has been deployed on our own people. Looters? Yes. Criminals? Absolutely. But on protesters, who are begging and pleading?” The Rock said, shaking his head. “On protesters who are in pain? You know, you would be surprised how people in pain would respond when you say to them, ‘I care about you.’ When you say to them, ‘I’m listening to you.'”
The Rock called on Trump to take “full accountability” to take on systemic racism in the United States to create change and “normalize equality.”
He then transitioned to thanking the world for standing up for equality in protesting over the last week. All 50 states in the U.S. have had demonstrations protesting police violence and brutality against black people, as have several other countries….
image…businessinsider.com