Former Maryland governor and presidential contender Martin O’Malley faced backlash from “Black Lives Matter” protesters during his presidential announcement in Baltimore on Saturday.
During his speech, O’Malley attempted to downplay the riots that plagued the city in April. He offered a sympathetic take on the Baltimore riots, calling the aftermath of the death of Freddie Gray a "heartbreaking night." He continuously stressed the singular language, "that night" and "that evening" when discussing the context of the Baltimore riots.
O’Malley also tried to minimize the racial aspect of the riots. Although “Black Lives Matter” was utilized as a slogan during the riots, O'Malley told the audience the anger in Baltimore was “not only about race” and "not only about policing in America."
"Black Lives Matter" protesters, however, did not share O'Malley's views on their cause. Protesters at the event, including members of Baltimore BLOC, expressed their disapproval using signs:
Protesters in the audience also shouted, “black lives matter” and blew whistles in an attempt to disrupt the event:
Despite the "Black Lives Matter" protesters expressing their outrage towards O'Malley, according to his speech, the "Black Lives Matter" demonstrations are "about everything it is supposed to mean to be an American:"