A Black Lives Matter activist went to a private event featuring Hillary Clinton in South Carolina, and she demanded that Clinton apologize about inconsistencies in her record about race.
The activist, Ashley Williams, and a colleague contributed $500 to attend the Clinton event, which was held at a private residence and had about 100 guests.
Williams said she and the other person, who was not identified, moved to the front of the crowd and waited until the Democratic presidential candidate appeared. The speakers who were there talked about the officer-involved shooting of Walter Scott, a black man, and said Clinton had a strong record on racial justice, reported The Huffington Post.
But then, as Clinton spoke, Williams stood next to her and held up a sign quoting controversial statements that Clinton had made in 1996 about at-risk youth. Williams’ sign included Clinton’s statement, “We have to bring them to heel,” which she said 20 years ago to support the Violent Crime Control Act regarding gang members, who she called “Superpredators.”
After that, when Clinton notices the sign, Williams tells her: “We want you to apologize for mass incarceration. I am not a ’super-predator,' Hillary Clinton. Will you apologize to black people for mass incarceration?”
Here’s the exchange as follows, according to a Mediaite transcript:
Clinton: (reading sign) We have to bring them to heel.
Williams: We hope you apologize for mass incarceration.
Clinton: Okay, we'll talk about it.
Williams: I’m not a Superpredator, Hillary Clinton.
Clinton: Okay, we'll talk about it.
Williams: Will you apologize to black people for mass incarceration?
Clinton: Can I talk? And maybe you can listen to what I say.
(someone in crowd hisses)
Williams: You called black people “Superpredators.”
Crowd: That’s not appropriate. You’re being rude.
Williams: You called black people “Superpredators,” that’s rude.
Clinton: Okay, you want to hear the facts, or you want to just talk?
Williams: I know that you called black youth “Superpredators” in 1994. Please explain for the record. Please explain it to us. You owe black people an apology.
The New York Daily News posted Clinton’s “Superpredators” comment in a video. “Not just gangs of kids anymore. They are often the kinds of kids that are called ‘Superpredators’—no conscience, no empathy. We can talk about why they ended up that way, but first, we have to bring them to heel,” she said in the clip, “and the President has asked the FBI to launch a very concerted effort against gangs everywhere.”
As Williams was escorted from the premises, Clinton said, “You know what, nobody’s ever asked me before. You are the first person to ask me, and I’m happy to address it, but you are the first person to ask me.”
And after that, Clinton says, “Umm OK, back to the issues that I think are important.”
In the background, another person at the event says, “Thank you,” while other people clap.
