Local NAACP advocates condemn Trump's debate remarks on Proud Boys

The chaotic presidential debate in Cleveland Tuesday night touched on many issues, but local civil rights advocates are worried about one particular remark by the president - some say it's a call to incite violence.

News 12 Staff

Sep 30, 2020, 9:35 PM

Updated 1,395 days ago

Share:

The chaotic presidential debate in Cleveland Tuesday night touched on many issues, but local civil rights advocates are worried about one particular remark by the president - some say it's a call to incite violence.
"Proud Boys - stand by and stand back," President Donald Trump said during the debate.
That particular comment set off a firestorm of controversy.
Critics say Trump's shout out to Proud Boys, a group the FBI has listed as an extremist organization with ties to white nationalism, is a call to arms.
Wilbur Aldridge, of the NAACP Mid-Hudson/Westchester, says Trump was "encouraging anarchy and encouraging a race riot" with that comment.
Proud Boys immediately embraced Trump's remarks, emblazoning his words onto their logo.
On Wednesday, a Trump spokesman said he was not encouraging the group, but actually denouncing it.
"He wants them to get out of the way. He wants them to not do the things they say they want to do. This is a reprehensible group," said Hogan Gidley, Trump campaign spokesman.
Incidents of hate have been on the rise across the country, including in the Hudson Valley.
Recently in Chappaqua, a noose was found painted outside of a Black family's home.
Last week, hateful stickers were found throughout the Rochelle Heights neighborhood of New Rochelle.
After Tuesday's contentious debate, the Commission on Presidential Debates says it's adding new "tools to maintain order" for the remaining debates. There is no word yet on what those tools are.


More from News 12
1:40
Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

1:56
Sun skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Sun skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

0:38
Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

0:32
Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

0:17
Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

0:52
Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

0:37
2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

1:30
Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

0:56
News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

1:02
Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

1:37
Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:32
NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:34
Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

0:40
Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

0:54
Headlines: Drug ring prison sentence, Newburgh felony charge, uptick in car thefts in Briarcliff Manor

Headlines: Drug ring prison sentence, Newburgh felony charge, uptick in car thefts in Briarcliff Manor

0:20
Man sentence to 10 years in prison for running Orange County drug ring

Man sentence to 10 years in prison for running Orange County drug ring

1:18
Town of Wallkill propose noise ordinances at Orange County fairgrounds

Town of Wallkill propose noise ordinances at Orange County fairgrounds

0:34
Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued

Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued