Hillary Clinton’s campaign invited “Black Lives Matter” activist DeRay McKesson to the candidate’s re-launch event, which was held Saturday in New York. But judging from the professional protester’s running commentary of Clinton’s mid-day speech, he was not impressed with what the Democratic candidate has to offer black America, saying that she was speaking in “coded language” about racial issues.
.@HillaryClinton's campaign invited me to the launch today on Roosevelt Island. I'm here to hear what she has to say.
— deray mckesson (@deray) June 13, 2015
The 29-year-old McKesson rose to national prominence during the protests following the Aug. 9, 2014, police-involved shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. He has traveled to protests following other police-involved incidents in Milwaukee, Washington D.C., North Charleston, S.C., Baltimore and, most recently, McKinney, Tex.
McKesson’s rising profile — and his apparent lack of a paying job — has been followed by accusations that he is being paid to organize protests across the U.S.
It is unclear why Clinton invited McKesson to her re-launch announcement. Her campaign, which has started out on a markedly progressive note, did not respond to a request for comment.
But whatever Clinton’s strategy, her rhetoric over the weekend was not enough for McKesson.
I just got here and the logistics for the @HillaryClinton launch aren't great. At all.
— deray mckesson (@deray) June 13, 2015
I'm hoping @HillaryClinton says something about black folk today at this launch.
— deray mckesson (@deray) June 13, 2015
In his Twitter commentary during the event, McKesson stated that Clinton provided a “strong message” on climate change, health insurance, reproductive health, immigration, tax code revisions, small businesses, clean energy and gay and lesbian issues.
But she was not direct enough in her statements regarding “people of color,” McKesson asserted.
Still listening for any direct message to black America from @HillaryClinton.
— deray mckesson (@deray) June 13, 2015
Clinton “will need black folk in Florida and Ohio to vote for her if she plans to win,” McKesson tweeted. “She’ll need to talk about black folk.”
During her speech, Clinton made two references to race.
“I’ll fight back against Republican efforts to disempower and disenfranchise young people, poor people, people with disabilities, and people of color,” Clinton said. She also gave a nod to “women of color,” who she said are paid much less than their male counterparts.
In the end, Clinton’s “coded language” left McKesson wanting more.
So, @HillaryClinton's speech has ended. I heard a lot of things. And nothing directly about black folk. Coded language won't cut it.
— deray mckesson (@deray) June 13, 2015
The activist stated on Twitter going into the speech that he was merely there to hear Clinton out and that he was not necessarily endorsing her. He did not provide a final analysis of the speech nor did he indicate whether she had convinced him that she would address his cause.
McKesson did not return The Daily Caller’s request for comment.
[h/t Weasel Zippers]