ThinkProgress editor Zack Ford, in discussing the Baton Rouge shooting today, offered a take on police accountability and violence that rubbed a lot of people the wrong way:

Given how police haven't been held accountable for murdering black people, it's no surprise some are taking justice into their own hands. — Zack Ford (@ZackFord) July 17, 2016

He argued in his subsequent tweets he’s just making a point about the frustration people feel in reaction to constant systemic injustice:

I abhor all violence, but that doesn't mean there isn't something important to be learned from how these incidents keep playing out. — Zack Ford (@ZackFord) July 17, 2016

Not all police are racist murderers, of course, but if those who are get a free ride, it reflects on the entire police system. — Zack Ford (@ZackFord) July 17, 2016

A lot of people think I support murder now. It's an easy way to avoid acknowledging the systemic injustices that perpetuate these murders. — Zack Ford (@ZackFord) July 17, 2016

I want all the carnage to end, but that means actually figuring out why it's happening. Letting cops get away with murder isn't that answer. — Zack Ford (@ZackFord) July 17, 2016

If anyone wants me to see a substantive reply, you'd best wait a while. Thousands of people are busy claiming I support cop killing. — Zack Ford (@ZackFord) July 17, 2016

And as that last tweet notes, he did get considerable blowback:

@ZackFord justice, eh? You really are an awful person if that's your characterization of the last few weeks. — Michael Krempasky (@krempasky) July 17, 2016

@ZackFord Thank God pro-lifers don't advocate this line of argument in response to lack of justice for the unborn. — Mollie (@MZHemingway) July 17, 2016

@ZackFord this is an irresponsible statement from a member of the press. — Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) July 17, 2016

Now, Ford is making a point similar to what Bill Maher said last week: “How many videos can you see? How many years can go by when this is going on when black people are brutally assault? The last guy, right on the ground, and he put a slug in him. I’m surprised somebody did not fire back sooner.”

It’s also worth noting here that a motive has not yet been determined for the Baton Rouge shooting today, though the city was where Alton Sterling was fatally shot by a cop weeks ago and where three people were recently arrested for a plot to kill cops.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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