As we previously reported, journalist Don Lemon has been on the ground in Chicago, covering the increased tensions between citizens and federal agents resulting from President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in the city. His coverage has gone viral, including his interview with a Black United States citizen who shared that ICE agents forced their way into his home and detained him at an ICE facility just outside of the city.
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Now, after seeing firsthand how the administration’s policies are directly impacting communities of color, the former CNN host is telling Black and Brown people that in times like these, they should protect themselves and their families by exercising their right to bear arms.
“If you believe in the Constitution, if you believe in the Second Amendment, Black people, Brown people of all stripes, whether you’re Indian-American or Mexican American, or whoever you are, go out in your place where you live and get a gun legally,” Lemon told Wajahat Ali during an interview on “The Left Hook” podcast. “Get a license to carry legally. Because when you have people knocking on your door, and taking you away without due process as a citizen, isn’t that what the Second Amendment was written for?”
While Lemon stressed that he was by no means condoning violence, he says people of color need to be prepared.
“I’m tired of all the mealy-mouth. I’m tired of playing nice. I’m tired of people saying turn the other cheek. That’s what got us into this position in the first place,” he added.
The interview has been viewed over 13,000 times on YouTube and has received thousands of comments from people who believe that when the powers that be are coming after their communities, people of color need to protect themselves.
“I agree. The 2nd amendment is for times like these,” wrote one commenter on YouTube.
Others thanked Don Lemon for using his independent platform to say something he would never have been allowed to on CNN.
“I like Don unleashed,” wrote someone else in the comments.
Another commenter added that if a message about picking up arms is coming from a guy Don Lemon, people of color need to pay attention.
“If [Don Lemon] out here telling us to go get guns, lmaooo. Shit is serious,” wrote someone on YouTube.
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