Beverly Hills Police: 'All Lives Matter'

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Almost as soon as people began asserting that “Black Lives Matter,” others retorted that “All Lives Matter.”

It's a dispute taking place locally and nationally over statements that, on their own, appear self-evident. However, many have criticized “All Lives Matter” in reaction to the phrase “Black Lives Matter” as an insensitive negation of a plea for equal rights and an end to police brutality against African Americans. Advocates of “All Lives Matter” often say the phrase “Black Lives Matter” suggests that other lives do not.

The debate played out this week on the Beverly Hills Police Department’s official Instagram page. On Monday, the BHPD posted two photos of officers on Rodeo Drive after Saturday’s looting and vandalism. A user commented, “BLM!” and the BHPD replied, “All Lives Matter.”

“Saying ‘all lives matter’ in response to "black lives matter" is like saying the fire department should spray down all houses in a neighborhood even though only one house is on fire YES your house matters but your house isn't on fire!” a user commented.

“All lives matter means exactly what it says it’s not limited to only one specific life, Black lives matter is only including BLACK LIVES,” replied another user, whose profile picture is the Thin Blue Line American flag, an unofficial flag of police officers. “All lives matter, blacks are not the only people being killed by police justified or not. If you are unable to respect a person that says “all lives matter” then you’re close minded and are not fighting against Police brutality in general, but only brutality against blacks.”

A lengthy debate ensued on the Instagram page, with neither side appearing to convince the other of anything.

The Beverly Hills Police Department has not responded to the comment, and it has not been taken down. City spokesperson Keith Sterling referred Patch to a comment released Tuesday by the Beverly Hills City Council, which states: “The despicable actions in [the video of George Floyd and Derek Chauvin] are antithetical to the values that we hold dear in Beverly Hills. The peaceful protests here in Beverly Hills and across the country are calling for an end to racism and police brutality, which this Council wholeheartedly endorses. It’s unfortunate that this important message is being diminished by criminal behavior … behavior which will not be tolerated. Let us honor George Floyd’s memory by standing together in solidarity with the African American community and moving this country forward where hatred has no place. It is long overdue.”

One Facebook user brought the “All Lives Matter” comment to the attention of councilmember and former Mayor Lili Bosse, wondering whether it was "the type of tone deaf message we want our police dept. to be spreading on Instragram.” Bosse has not responded.