'You don't like us!' Michigan lawmakers stunned as testifier hurls racial slur
An irate man testifying to Michigan lawmakers against a bill that would restrict the carrying of guns at the State Capitol shouted a racial slur at the shocked senators Thursday.
The man, identified by Fox 2 Detroit as Avi Rachlin, accused the lawmakers on the Committee for Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety of plotting to discriminate against white people, a majority of whom supported Donald Trump as president — and demanded they address crimes committed by Black people.
"Let's be very clear: this is legislation that targets white people," said Rachlin. "It is racial, because the people who carry in the Capitol are primarily white people who have [concealed pistol licenses], are primarily white, and this is retaliation for the only demographic that overwhelmingly voted to support Donald Trump. And that is why it is being taken out on us, because you don't like us. And that's how it is."
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He added: "If you want to address gun violence, we would be focusing on the people who bring guns into communities and shoot people, like where I live in Detroit — where you represent, Stephanie Chang."
He said the area is "overwhelmingly" 13- to 44-year-olds — and hurled a racial slur to describe their ethnicity.
At Rachlin's last remark, Chang, a Democrat, immediately gaveled him down and cut his mic, as senators from both parties roundly condemned him.
According to Fox 2 Detroit, Republican Sen. Jim Runestad incredulously asked Rachlin if he had just used "some epithet."
"The idea that this is aimed at white people — I know so many different groups from minority communities that are armed, that carry concealed — it's just a ridiculous argument," he said.
Republican Sen. Ruth Johnson agreed, adding, "the term that you used is inappropriate and it will not get you anywhere with this legislature."
All of this comes amid concern that Trump's win may have emboldened a fresh wave of hate, with Nazi sympathizers mobbing a Jewish play in Michigan over the weekend, chanting "Hail Hitler and Hail Trump."
Watch the video below or at the link here. (Warning: video contains graphic language).