Donald Trump said Thursday that police are the "most mistreated people in this country," a comment that immediately sparked disagreement after a year of protests that highlighted police brutality across the country.
Trump made the remark during Thursday night's Republican presidential debate in North Charleston, S.C. -- the city where Walter Scott, an unarmed African-American man, was fatally shot by a white police officer in April. Last fall, officials in North Charleston reached a $6.5 million settlement with Scott's family.
Trump's comments quickly launched a new debate online, particularly among those affiliated with the Black Lives Matter movement, who have protested the deaths of unarmed black men and women.
One prominent activist and organizer, DeRay Mckesson, said Trump was "trolling the movement."
Donald Trump was trolling the movement. #GOPDebate— deray mckesson (@deray) January 15, 2016
Others tweeted photos of unarmed women and men who were either killed by police or died in police custody.
"Police are the most mistreated people in this country." -Donald Trump. #GOPDebate Are you sure? pic.twitter.com/6aEeiS2urC— kylo ren ☕️ (@cappvccino) January 15, 2016
When Donald Trump tries to explain that "police" are the most mistreated people in the country, yet????? pic.twitter.com/ECc2RBzj09— Caroline Herrick (@its_carolineee) January 15, 2016
Still others said that Trump's comments were not in sync with the national dialogue around policing in the United States.
"Police are the most mistreated ppl in the country." Donald Trump. I don't care what y'all say, this dude will never be elected. #GOPDebate— Derrick N Ashong (@DNAtv) January 15, 2016
Donald Trump just said "police are the most mistreated people in this country." Oh. My. Lord. That is disconnected from reality #GOPDebate— Isaac Saul (@Ike_Saul) January 15, 2016
The remark, though, is unlikely to dent Trump's standing with his core supporters.
Donald Trump's comments supporting and defending police officers top 90 with my focus group. It had to be said. #GOPDebate— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) January 15, 2016
Trump, in mixing anti-Muslim sentiments w/ #BlueLivesMatter, earns his law enforcement lobby stripes tonight #WEAADebates #GOPDebate— Ellison Report (@ellisonreport) January 15, 2016
#GopDebate #Trump "I want security" "police are the most mistreated people" I AGREE 100% #bluelivesmatter too— Ed Hoffman (@edhoffman) January 15, 2016