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Read LAPD Chief Michel Moore's Apology: 'Looting Is Wrong, But It Is Not The Equivalent Of Murder'

LAPD Chief Michel Moore. (Screenshot from Mayor of Los Angeles Facebook page)
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Appearing at a news conference Monday night with L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, LAPD Chief Michel Moore made this statement:

"We didn't have protests last night. We had criminal acts. We didn't have people mourning the death of this man, George Floyd. We had people capitalizing. His death is on their hands, as much as it is those officers."

He quickly walked back his statement, in part, saying that he regretted the "characterization" of his remarks. Moore went on to say said he will not apologize to those who are out committing violence and "destroying lives and livelihoods."

Then at 11 p.m. Monday, Moore issued this statement:

During a press conference earlier today, I misspoke when making a statement about those engaging in violent acts following the murder of Mr. George Floyd.

While I did immediately correct myself, I recognize that my initial words were terribly offensive. Looting is wrong, but it is not the equivalent of murder and I did not mean to equate the two. I deeply regret and humbly apologize for my characterization.

Let me be clear: the police officers involved were responsible for the death of Mr. George Floyd.

An important note: While protests in Los Angeles were sparked by the killing of Floyd last Monday in Minneapolis, protesters on L.A.'s streets have cited a long history of police brutality — specifically issues with the LAPD and other local law enforcement agencies — in their protests of institutional racism.
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Organizers of the protests are specifically upset about the level of funding for the LAPD, which has been exempted by Garcetti from deep budget cuts necessary due to economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

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