Clinton Says Her White Grandchildren Are Spared the Fearful Experiences Many Black Children Face
Clinton said her worries are different than those of black grandparents.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina— -- Hillary Clinton told the congregation of a predominantly African-American church in North Carolina on Sunday that because her grandchildren are white, "they won't face the kind of fear" in encounters with law enforcement as African-American children.
The Democratic presidential nominee was referring to a video she had watched showing children in Charlotte, North Carolina, testify to the city council.
"You know every child deserves the same sense of security. Every child deserves the same hope," Clinton said at the Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church, which she visited Sunday in the wake of recent protests in the city over the death of Keith Lamont Scott, 43, in a police-involved shooting.
“Because my grandchildren are white, because they are the grandchildren of a former president and secretary of state, let’s be honest here, they won’t face the kind of fear that we heard from the young children testifying before the city council," Clinton said.
Clinton traveled to Charlotte on the invitation of faith leaders and also held a meeting with community leaders following her visit to the church. She had planned to go last Sunday, but postponed her trip so as to not tax the city's resources in light of the then daily demonstrations over Scott's death.
"It has been 12 days since Mr. Scott was shot and killed, 12 days since his wife Rakeyia Scott watched her husband die and seven children lost their father. Now, we don’t yet know all the details about the shooting, but we do know this family and this community is in pain," Clinton said from the church's stage.
"Too many African-American families have been in the same tragic situation that the Scott family has found themselves," Clinton said while urging the audience to remember that violence has also touched the families of police officers.
At one point during her remarks, Clinton brought onto the stage Zianna Oliphant, a 9-year-old Charlotte resident who had tearfully addressed the city council.
"I care deeply about this because it's not just so personal to so many of us, it's about the kind of country we want to be and the future we want for all of our children and grandchildren. I think about that every time I see my grandchildren or every time I see a bright energetic impressive young woman like Zianna," said Clinton.
Clinton also slammed GOP rival Donald Trump's response to police shootings, without mentioning his name.
"Now, there are some out there who see this as a moment to fan the flames of resentment and division, who want to exploit people's fears even though it means tearing our nation even further apart," Clinton said.