By Phillip Smith, StoptheDrugWar.org
Donald Trump’s efforts to reach out to the black community took yet another stumble-footed turn Thursday when he went off-script to blame the unrest shaking Charlotte this week not on police violence or racial inequality, but drugs.
“If you’re not aware, drugs are a very, very big factor in what you’re watching on television,” the GOP contender claimed. He offered no evidence to support his claim.
Charlotte is only the latest American city to see outbreaks of street violence amid protests over the police killings of black men. In this case, it was the gunning down of Keith Scott Tuesday by an undercover Charlotte police officer. Scott’s family maintains he was unarmed and holding only a book, while police say he was armed and they recovered a weapon at the scene. Police have so far refused to release body-cam video of the killing.
Read moreDonald Trump’s Bizarre Explanation for Charlotte Unrest: “Drugs”