Trump has called Black Lives Matter a
symbol of hate. But his government has likened it to the tea party and told federal agencies that employees are free to express their support for the movement at work.
The Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal watchdog, informed fellow agencies that supporting Black Lives Matter is
not a political activity because the Black Lives Matter Global Network is
not a partisan political group.
The agency described BLM as “an umbrella term for a constellation of ideas, objectives, and groups,” and said the most prominent organization under that umbrella, the Black Lives Matter Global Network, is a chapter-based group whose goals include eradicating white supremacy.
“In furtherance of these goals it organizes programs around black arts and culture, protests to achieve policy change, and provides toolkits and other resources for discussing and responding to racism,” OSC said. “BLMGN has not previously been involved in partisan political activity.”
OSC noted that BLMGN representatives met with Republican and Democratic candidates in 2016 but didn’t endorse, and that its focus this election cycle has been on voter registration and education about issues like racial injustice, police brutality, education, health care and the environment.
Federal employees are free to express support for the movement at work, the Office of Special Counsel rules.
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