An internal State Department memo leaked by an anonymous whistleblower indicates the department’s sanctioning of Black Lives Matter (BLM) flags and banners at U.S. “Diplomatic and Consular posts” and indicates support for the radical BLM agenda while repeating left-wing narratives about police officers that are not backed by statistics.
The memo, first reported by Jack Posobiec at Human Events, prefaces the guidance on BLM in relation to the upcoming anniversary of George Floyd’s death:
May 25 marks one year since the brutal murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Last year, the horrific video of Mr. Floyd’s final 9 minutes and 29 seconds went viral and spurred Black Lives Matter protests worldwide, in response to his senseless killing and to demand an end to systemic racism and police brutality. One year later, many in the international community will honor Mr. Floyd and acknowledge the long journey nations face to advance racial justice. Leading up to May 25, the Department has issued guidance on the use of Black Lives Matter language, banners, and flags.
“The memo, which is in part a woke statement on social justice, part an apology for U.S. actions, and part an endorsement of all BLM materials, expressly encourages the display of the BLM flag or banner at U.S. facilities (except on the actual flagpole that holds the American flag),” Human Events reported.
“… Chiefs of Mission may decide to hang BLM flags, as appropriate and depending on local context. This cable constitutes a blanket written authorization for calendar year 2021 from the Under Secretary for Management (M) to display the BLM flag on the external-facing flagpole to any Chiefs of Mission who determine such a display is appropriate in light of local conditions,” the memo says. “This is an authorization, not a requirement.”
Notably, the memo underscores the department’s support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the approval of U.S. posts associating with the movement on the Floyd anniversary “and beyond.”
“The United States remains concerned about the racial inequities of underserved communities, both domestically and abroad,” the memo reads. “The Department supports the use of the term ‘Black Lives Matter’ in messaging content, speeches, and other diplomatic engagements with foreign audiences to advance racial equity and access to justice on May 25 and beyond. We encourage posts to focus on the need to eliminate systemic racism and its continued impact.”
The department describes BLM as leaderless and organic, adding that the Black Lives Matter Global Network is “the most prominent” organization that uses “BLM terminology.”
According to the Office of U.S. Special Counsel, “As a social movement, BLM gained prominence following a series of high-profile killings of Black Americans in 2013 and 2014 and, in particular, the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin. The movement appears to have begun organically on social media. The phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ then became a rallying cry for protesters and organizations seeking to raise awareness of, and respond to, issues associated with racism in the United States. BLM is thus an umbrella term for a constellation of ideas, objectives, and groups. There is no ‘leader’ of the BLM movement. Rather, there are numerous organizations that use BLM terminology to varying degrees, including some whose names include the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter.’ Of these, the most prominent is the Black Lives Matter Global Network (BLMGN).”
The Daily Wire reached out to the State Department for clarification and comment on the leaked memo. “On background, as a general matter, we don’t comment on the authenticity or veracity of allegedly leaked documents,” the department responded Tuesday morning.