Former Rep. Allen West says celebrities and politicians who have stood with protesters against police misconduct should stand with police now that two New York City officers have been gunned down.
"They need to stand up with the men and women of the thin blue line and let them know they are with them," West said Monday on
Fox News Channel's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren."
"They are everyday guardians, everyday warriors that protect us," West said of the police.
President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder need to reassert that, West said, adding that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio "needs to come back and retract some of those statements that he has made and stand with those police, or else they will continue to turn their backs on him."
Many critics, including police union head Pat Lynch, have blamed de Blasio's rhetoric and chants by some protesters to kill police for inspiring the Saturday shooting deaths of officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos.
Obama told People magazine that basketball star LeBron James "did the right thing" when he wore an "I Can't Breathe" T-shirt during pre-game warm-ups. Actor Samuel L. Jackson recorded a song online against "racist police" that he urged other celebrities to join in on.
West said Obama, James and Jackson should now show the same solidarity with police.
"You remember after the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri, it was within two hours that the president took to the stage to give his assessment," West said.
"Where is the president now? He should be talking to these protesters and saying this will not be tolerated in the United States of America . . . We have to have respect and regard for our police officers. We have to honor our system and our due process."
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