America is mourning yet again.
Desperate calls for unity echoed across the United States and on social media after the killing of five uniformed officers at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas, Texas. At least seven others were wounded.
Micah Xavier Johnson, a 25-year-old veteran, has been identified as the shooter. Johnson died after police detonated a robot bomb.
Initial reports claimed multiple shooters were involved but it remains unclear how many opened fire. Three suspects were held in custody.
The Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas was among a number of other demonstrations being held across the country following the latest string of black men killed by police.
The shooting of two black men, Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile in Minnesota, at the hands of police triggered nationwide outrage after videos of their shooting surfaced widely online.
“I speak for every single American when I say that we are horrified over these events, and that we stand united with the people and the police department in Dallas,” said U.S. President Barack Obama in a speech addressing the slaying of Dallas officers. “Let’s be clear: There is no possible justification for these kinds of attacks or any violence against law enforcement.”
Outrage erupted on social media with many governors, celebrities, activists, and others expressing their anguish and pleading for unity.
The attack on police officers in Dallas last night is horrifying and despicable. We must as a nation stand against violence of all kinds.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 8, 2016
These Dallas shootings are horrific. Killing these officers is morally reprehensible and completely counterproductive to keeping us safe.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) July 8, 2016
I mourn for the officers shot while doing their sacred duty to protect peaceful protesters, for their families & all who serve with them. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/OfTheWest_/status/751307521466388481
Every morning this week I wake up, check my phone and see worse news. Love and respect unite. Hate divides. Hate no one. #Dallas
— Jeff Barrett (@BarrettAll) July 8, 2016
Blacks. Whites. Asians. Hispanics. Etc. we need to unite. Stop fighting. Stop killing. Stop hurting. Love. Please. We need to. #Dallas
— Paul Mescal Jacob Elordi (@NipplesNeedLove) July 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/RepEvanJenkins/status/751441125290995712
It is truly tragic when a vicious few turn a peaceful protest into a bloodbath. Horrific and sad. #nomoreviolence
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) July 8, 2016
A number of Black Lives Matter leaders condemned attacks against police officers:
#BlackLivesMatter advocates dignity, justice and freedom, not the murder of cops. Police violence, not #BlackLove, creates violence.
— malkia devich-cyril (@culturejedi) July 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/751464237696974849
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/751273784561135616
My heart hurts for the dead. We must end police & vigilante violence, before it destroys what democracy we have left. #DallasPoliceShooting
— malkia devich-cyril (@culturejedi) July 8, 2016
Prayers for the victims of all violence tonight.
— deray (@deray) July 8, 2016
Others said the attacks in Dallas shouldn’t undermine the Black Lives Matter movement or deviate the attention away from putting an end to brutality against African Americans.
Situations like #Dallas are outlier tragedies. They should not be allowed to distract from the systemic problem of excessive police violence
— Shoq (@Shoq) July 8, 2016
Why are people acting like the #dallas shootings somehow invalidates the argument against police brutality? Lets unite against ALL violence!
— Ray (@Raymundg15) July 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/tooturntkayIa/status/751510556121636864
https://twitter.com/asmallzz/status/751480111673802753
But the killing of police officers is brewing a divisive conversation online with some accusing the Black Lives Matter movement of inciting violence. Before the attack against officers erupted in Dallas Thursday, the protest was peaceful and under control.
After Orlando, the entire NRA was responsible. After Charleston, every Southerner was responsible. But after Dallas, don't DARE blame BLM.
— Razor (@hale_razor) July 8, 2016
You can't honestly say with a straight face that this isn't the fault of BLM and that modern America liberalism didn't enable it.
— Jon (@SwiftCatz1989) July 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/SilverSummerSun/status/751257401576136705
You and your group are part of the problem.
— TEXASian Red·Neck (@RedNeckTexAsian) July 8, 2016
Others argued that violence against police and violence against African Americans should be equally condemned.
How can anyone say the Dallas shooting is the fault of BLM & the Sterling & Castile shootings aren't the fault of cops in the same breath?
— Big Cat (@_BIGCAT) July 8, 2016
Just the same as I would condemn racial violence, the actions that have followed tonight in Dallas are equally as… https://t.co/T6aaRV2cpx
— CJ (@Cjanz) July 8, 2016
The shooting also resurrected the controversial debate about gun control.
#PrayForAmerica is trending. Americans need a hell of a lot more than prayer.
Gun control would be a good start though 👌— Jenn ॐ❁ (@Jennatr0n) July 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/sinisterpics/status/751343392769138689
https://twitter.com/itsgalCHRISTINE/status/751345412775092225
Let's #PrayForDallas, because unlike curbing easy gun access, the collective psychosis of talking to imaginary friends really works.
— Ali A. Rizvi (@aliamjadrizvi) July 8, 2016