BLM Chicago deletes 'paraglider' tweet but stomps ahead with anti-Israel vitriol as backlash grows
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: The Chicago branch of the Black Lives Matter organization has found itself in hot water after posting new anti-Israel posts despite issuing an apology and deleting a graphic seemingly celebrating Hamas’ attacks.
The organization, which has more than 60,000 followers on X, previously shared an image of a paraglider with a Palestinian flag attached to its parachute and the words "I stand with Palestine" written beneath it.
Well, thank goodness for screenshots.
— Stat Woman (@Stat_Woman) October 11, 2023
You posted it, @BLMChi, live with it. pic.twitter.com/PFQF6d75kl
The post appeared to be a reference to the Hamas militants, who launched a full-fleshed surprise attack on Israel, leaving more than 1200 citizens dead and another 2,600 gravely injured.
On Saturday, the Palestinian militant organization also opened fire at the Tribe of Nova music festival, where they killed hundreds of revelers and took others captive.
Videos of the horrifying rapes, murders, attacks, and kidnappings have also circulated the news and social media platforms in recent days.
Why did BLM Chicago delete Paraglider tweet?
BLM Chicago’s paraglider tweet garnered immense criticism from politicians and media figures on both sides of the political aisle.
"Black Lives Matter Chicago just posted this, celebrating the paragliders who massacred the Israeli concertgoers. Shocking antisemitism and cruelty. Martin Luther King is rolling over in his grave," former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich posted.
Black Lives Matter Chicago just posted this, celebrating the paragliders who massacred the Israeli concert goers. Shocking antisemitism and cruelty. Martin Luther King is rolling over in his grave. pic.twitter.com/WYNdjc41Ok
— Rod Blagojevich (@realBlagojevich) October 10, 2023
Following a furious backlash, the organization deleted the paraglider image and issued an apology, stating “Yesterday we sent out msgs [messages] that we aren’t proud of.”
“We stand with Palestine & the people who will do what they must to live free. Our hearts are with, the grieving mothers, those rescuing babies from rubble, who are in danger of being wiped out completely,” the apology continued.
Yesterday we sent out msgs that we aren’t proud of. We stand with Palestine & the people who will do what they must to live free. Our hearts are with, the grieving mothers, those rescuing babies from rubble, who are in danger of being wiped out completely🇵🇸♥️🖤💚
— BLMChicago (@BLMChi) October 11, 2023
Despite the apology, the BLM Chicago doubled down on its stance and continued to show its apathy for Israelis.
“Zionist haters worried if kids are running this account, here’s some young folk who are determining the future of this city & also helping to stop cop city in Atlanta,” the organization wrote along with pictures of their activists.
Zionist haters worried if kids are running this account, here’s some young folk who are determining the future of this city & also helping to stop cop city in Atlanta. Maybe y’all are around incapable kids idk 🤷🏾♀️ but ours are our heroes, our future, they can type if they wanna pic.twitter.com/U7YKf4jebI
— BLMChicago (@BLMChi) October 11, 2023
The organization also replied to an X account that had posted the Israeli flag along with the words "I pray for Israel," saying, “Us too, God please unharden Israel's heart & help them to stop bombing children & taking over people homes & building fences, god please help them see the beauty & peace that can come of ending genocidal behavior.”
Us too, God please unharden Israels heart & help them to stop bombing children & taking over peoples homes & building fences, god please help them see the beauty & peace that can come of ending genocidal behavior https://t.co/kVBkBjEGpw
— BLMChicago (@BLMChi) October 11, 2023
BLM Chicago slammed for its apology
BLM Chicago’s apology sparked a furious outrage on social media, with X CEO Elon Musk, saying “They’re still proud of their opinion, minus deleted post.”
“The irony here is that Chicago is almost as dangerous as the Gaza strip,” a second user wrote on Twitter. “So, were they still mostly peaceful protests? Or are you guys ready to take that one back now?” a third user slammed.
“They had paraglider on their post. The same who killed and mocked innocent people in posts. There is no coming back. Just waiting for the ADL to finish them,” a fourth user wrote, while a fifth said, “They’re not proud of the negativity it generated, but they haven’t changed their position.”
“How do they go from a full slideshow on why Hamas is the bomb dot com to “oppsies,”” another user stated.
“No.. they're just freaking that all those bucks are about to dry up. They fear cancelling themselves. Smh,” one more wrote.
the irony here is that chicago is almost as dangerous as the gaza strip.
— Yup (@Kmehring) October 11, 2023
So, were they still mostly peaceful protests? Or you guys ready to take that one back now?
— piker (@somniummortus) October 12, 2023
They literally had paraglider on their post. The same who killed and mocked innocent people in posts.
— Petey B (@realpeteyb123) October 11, 2023
There is no coming back. Just waiting for the ADL to finish them
They’re not proud of the negativity it generated, but they haven’t changed their position.
— Martin Matthews (@1MartinMatthews) October 11, 2023
How do they go from a full slideshow on why Hamas is the bomb dot com to “oppsies”
— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) October 11, 2023
No.. they're just freaking that all those bucks are about to dry up. They fear cancelling themselves. Smh.
— ℂ𝕙𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕖 (@ChelleRae378) October 11, 2023