A bill introduced by Arizona State Representative Ken Clark, which would eliminate the phrase “Blue Lives Matter” sparked outrage this week. According to Clark, he and Representative Reginald Bolding “introduced a bill that we hope will create an opportunity for dialogue at the Capitol.”
The bill created a dialogue, but not necessarily the kind Clark sought when news of it broke on KFYI’s James T. Harris radio show. Harris told listeners that Clark hoped members of the public would arrange “meetings with members of the Legislature, particularly those who voted for” Senator Steve Smith’s “Blue Lives Matter” bill last year, and “help them understand why the term “Blue Lives Matter” is tone deaf, and why it does not belong in law.”
Not long before Harris took to the air on Wednesday, the York County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina, announced that York County Detective Michael Doty was killed, and three other officers were wounded after they were ambushed by a man, who was wanted for assaulting his wife.
Last year, during the floor debate of the “Blue Lives Matter” bill (HB 1366), Democratic Senator Martin Quezada, known for his flame-throwing rhetoric, claimed that the law furthered a “false narrative.” He argued that the law attempted to make wearing a “blue uniform” equivalent to race.
Quezada was unconvincing and the bill passed with bipartisan support in the Senate and along party lines in the House.
Representative Kelly Townsend told Harris’ listeners that the news of Clark’s bill reminded her of the approaching anniversary of the death of Gilbert Police Lieutenant Eric Shuhandler. Officer Shuhandler was killed during a routine traffic stop on January 28, 2010.
“On the 28th of this month we will be remembering the 8-year anniversary of the loss of Lieutenant Shuhandler of Gilbert when he was shot in the face by the son of an illegal immigrant. This heinous act was before the wave of anti-police violence we have seen under the Obama Administration,” said Townsend. “Today we hear that two officers were shot in Harrisburg PA, and the story seems all too common now. It is quite clear that our men and women in blue are under attack. Further evidence of this is the effort by Representative Clark and Representative Bolding, who seek to remove the words “Blue Lives Matter” because they feel it is insensitive and a distraction from the black lives matter movement.”
“What I find insensitive is the imposition of their views on one issue onto another separate but very important issue,” continued Townsend. “It is as if they want to force us to only look at the issues important to them and would forbid us from making a statement about how important it is to support our law enforcement. I cannot say that I am surprised.”
“During Obama’s 8-years as president, we witnessed what appeared to be racially-motivated mistrust, disrespect, and even outspoken hostility towards our police, culminating in brutal attacks against officers,” Representative Bob Thorpe stated on Wednesday, “For example, on July 7, 2016, Micah Xavier Johnson ambushed and fired upon a group of police officers in Dallas, Texas, killing five officers, and injuring nine officers and two civilians. According to Dallas Police Chief, David Brown, “The suspect [Johnson] said he was upset about Black Lives Matter. He said he was upset about the recent police shootings. The suspect said he was upset at white people.” In response, many Americans embraced the phrase “Blue Lives Matter” as a show of support for our police, who seemed under siege. Representative Ken Clark’s bill is mean-spirited and disrespectful towards our fallen and injured officers, and certainly does not represent the views of my northern Arizona constituents. Not surprising, the fake-news liberal media continues to ignore outrageous Democrat bills like this, while ridiculing and attacking reasonable Republican bills.”
Smith summed up the chances for Clark’s bill, “The bill that I authored last year that was signed into law by the governor which protects our brave men and women in law-enforcement when they are off duty was an important piece of legislation to not only protect those brave men and women, but to also send a clear signal that Arizona supports our law-enforcement officers and, as Governor Ducey stated, ‘will always have their back.’ Therefore I (and I believe I can speak for most of the legislature) certainly oppose the current effort by the Left to undo that.”