Crime Victims Condemn Hateful Online "Merch"

"We call on those who have produced or bought them to think about whether their
actions are helping or hurting the fabric of our communities"

SACRAMENTO — Crime Victims United of California (CVUC) today joined a growing list of public safety groups condemning a line of anti-law enforcement apparel being sold by Amazon displaying the divisive and hateful slogan, "Blue Lives Murder."

"At a time when our nation's leaders, especially those representing Americans of color, are calling for unity, the creation and sale of hateful products such as these is counterproductive and disgraceful," said Nina Salarno Besselman, President of Crime Victims United and also a deputy district attorney.

"As an attorney and American, I respect people's First Amendment rights, but I will never condone the indiscriminate disparagement of the hardworking men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all — and I mean ALL — and who are being unfairly vilified for their sacrifices.

"According to a study published by the National Academy of Sciences, there is 'no epidemic of racist police shootings,' as this apparel implies. So, all these products do is perpetuate a dangerous myth and incite hate — and potentially violence against police. California has already lost eight officers in the line-of-duty this year alone — enough is enough.

"Amazon has removed products disrespectful of the vice president and pro-neo-Nazis in the past, and we call on them to do the same here — by removing these hateful items. We also call on those who have produced or bought them to think long and hard about whether their actions are helping or hurting the fabric of our communities," said Salarno Besselman.

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