Police chief calls BLM activists ‘pack of rabid animals’

Black Lives Matter members had gathered outside the home of police officer Ryan Pownall in Philidelphia to protest the fatal shooting of David Jones, a black man, reports NewsWorks. The police are not happy about the intimidation.

The president of a Philadelphia police union called the Black Lives Matter movement a “pack of rabid animals” during the police rally.

Hundreds of former and active officers listened as John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, described the members of Black Lives Matter.

“When you go to work each day, you shouldn’t have to worry that a pack of rabid animals will suddenly show up at your home and openly threaten your family,” said McNesby inside FOP headquarters. “These are not activists, they are racist hate groups determined to instigate violence.”

Black Lives Matter activists did not attend the “Back the Blue” rally, but the group has promised further action. Activist Asa Khalif called his BLM “freedom fighters exercising their First Amendment right”.

“We will not let words stop us. The only words we’re using is justice for David Jones, and we will not be sidetracked by the bullying tactics of the FOP,” said Khalif, warning that BLM members may return to Pownall’s home.

He said that McNesby’s comments were ridiculous. “We’re not going to dignify that with an answer. That ridiculous comment doesn’t deserve a response. I’ll simply say, ‘Justice for David Jones.”

Outside Pownall’s house the activists were shouting: “If we don’t get no justice, they don’t get no peace.”

BLM has called Pownall a murderer. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office is investigating the case. BLM has demanded that Pownall be charged with murder.

During a pat down, Pownall felt a gun in Jones’ waistband, police said. A witness in back of Pownall’s police vehicle watched Pownall pull his service weapon and warn Jones not to touch the gun, according to the police. The two men scuffled before Jones allegedly grabbed his handgun, according to police.”

The FOP has started legal proceedings to block the Philadelphia department’s policy of releasing the names of officers who shoot people within 72 hours after the incident. A hearing on the matter has been set for the end of September.