Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) is explaining why he felt compelled to join the Black Lives Matter movement while marching with protesters in Washington, D.C.
On Sunday, Romney took to Twitter with a photo that captured his father, Earl Romney, marching during the late 1960s Civil Rights Movement in Detroit, Michigan.
He tweeted, âThis is my father, George Romney, participating in a Civil Rights march in the Detroit suburbs during the late 1960sââForce alone will not eliminate riots,â he said. âWe must eliminate the problems from which they stem.â
Hours later, Romney joined a group of approximately 1,000 protesters in Washington, D.C. as they headed toward the White House. During the march, a reporter asked the Utah senator why he joined the moment.
With a mask on, Romney responded by saying, âWe need to end violence and brutality, and to make sure that people understand that black lives matter.â
See Romneyâs remarks below:
https://twitter.com/hannah_natanson/status/1269742337934217219?
Shortly after speaking about the march, he also shared photos via Twitter.
Romney hitting the pavement with protesters follows multiple statements he has made about the death of George Floyd, the civil unrest in America, and the need for change and reform. The Republican senator has been vocal about racial injustice.
âNo Americans should fear enmity and harm from those sworn to protect us. The death of George Floyd must not be in vain: Our shock and outrage must grow into collective determination to extinguish forever such racist abuse,â Romney tweeted.
The former Republican presidential nominee is also among the group of Republicans who are expressing concern about President Donald Trumpâs rhetoric, as previously reported on IJR.
Like Romney, Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) along with Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) has also spoken out about the presidentâs message, urging him to consider changing his tone while embracing the idea of a call for unity.