Bill Clinton clashes with Black Lives Matter protesters in Philadelphia
Bill Clinton was involved in a heated exchange with black lives matter protesters yesterday at a Hillary Clinton campaign event in Philadelphia.
For almost 15 minutes the former president sparred with protesters who objected to the 1994 criminal justice reform bill he signed into law as president, which increased prison sentences for a number of gang-related offenses.
"You are defending the people who kill the lives you say matter."WATCH former President Bill Clinton clash with Black Lives Matter protesters at an event earlier today. http://fxn.ws/1S0q8FG
Black Lives Matter activists claim the bill disproportionately hurt African-Americans.
One protester yelled that "black youth are not super predators," which was a reference to a statement Hillary Clinton made as First Lady.
The former president shot back.
"I don't know how you would characterize the gang leaders who got 13-year-old kids hopped up on crack and sent them out onto the streets to murder other African-American children, maybe you thought they were good citizens," Clinton said, his face turning increasingly red. "She didn't."
"You are defending the people who killed the lives you say matter. Tell the truth. You are defending the people who cause young people to go out and take guns," Clinton added.
Clinton says he was defending his record as president and his wife's past statements.