A Trump campaign ad described by a group of Black clergy as complicit in inciting “white terrorism” because it links Black churches to violent protesters has been met with a demand for an apology.
The Black church leaders condemning the ad said it is overtly racist and offensive on numerous levels, The Hill reported, citing Religion News Service. A draft statement was set to be issued Monday by the pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal in Wilmington, Del.,
The church leaders contend that Trump’s new ad — titled “Meet Joe Biden’s Supporters” — also depicts Black churchgoers as “thuggish rule-breakers.”
“This ad subtly incites white terrorism against people of color and attacks the Black Church and Black people for refusing to bow down to the idol called white supremacy,” the statement reportedly reads.
“The ad is a racist attack on the African American church, and because it was an attack on the Christian church, it should be offensive to every Christian and person of faith,” the Rev. Silvester Beaman of Bethel AME told RNS.
When reached by The Hill for comment, Trump campaign spokesperson Samantha Zager called criticism of the ad offensive.
“That’s absurd and it’s shameful to even make the allegation,” Zager said of accusations that the ad is racist.