Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams said she has not physically joined in the protests over the death of George Floyd, but is being supportive in other ways, believing that young people should lead and her participation would only “distract” from the demonstrators’ message.
“I appreciate the instinct of leaders to join in these protests, but too often our presence distracts from their message,” Abrams, the former top Democrat in the Georgia House, told CNN’s Don Lemon on Thursday.
Instead, Abrams said, she’s been supporting protesters with bail funds and lawyers and helping get the message out.
Abrams said her decision not to physically march with the protesters is informed by her past experience as a student helping lead a 1992 protest in response to Rodney King’s brutal beating by Los Angeles police.
Abrams also criticized the decision for law enforcement on Monday to clear the area around the White House of peaceful protesters using tear gas and rubber bullets so President Donald Trump could walk to the St. John’s Church for a photo-op.
