BLM targets top Dem official over 'blatant disregard for human life' after wishing death upon Republicans



Black Lives Matter Rhode Island is demanding the resignation of a top official at the Rhode Island Democratic Party over what the organization characterized as "blatant disregard for human life."

What is the background?

Democratic strategist Kate Coyne-McCoy, a top leader of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, faced backlash after tweeting that she hoped Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) would die after contracting COVID-19.

Coyne-McCoy later apologized, claiming she regretting having exercised "poor judgement."

What did BLM say?

According to the social justice organization, Coyne-McCoy's "poor judgement" was not a singular instance. In fact, the organization discovered an apparent pattern in Coyne-McCoy's tweets where she wishes death upon Republicans.

Last March, Coyne-McCoy responded to a picture that included then-President Donald Trump, members of his Cabinet, top congressional Republicans, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, among others, by saying her "gut reaction" to the photo is that hoped each person in the photo dies.

She said, "I am not proud of my gut reaction which is 'I hope they all die.'"

Image source: Twitter screenshot

In response to the troubling remark, Rhode Island Black Lives Matter PAC released a statement demanding Coyne-McCoy's "immediate resignation," citing Coyne-McCoy's "blatant disregard for human life."

In a time where many human lives have been lost to COVID-19 all across Rhode Island, this comment is extremely distasteful and insensitive. Regardless of political affiliation, the disregard for human life is unacceptable and should not be tolerated anywhere within any political party. How can we trust someone with such blatant disregard for human life with the will of RI voters? Anyone affiliated with the Democratic Party should be held to a higher standard, as McCoy was hired to "modernize the party and position Democrats to win from the top to the bottom of the ballots.

Anything short of an immediate resignation, would signal that these types of comments are acceptable within the RI Democractic (sic) Party.

In a separate statement provided to Fox News about Coyne-McCoy's 2020 tweet, RI BLM said, "Wishing death on people is customary for the RI Democratic Party Chief Political Strategist Kate Coyne McCoy, as she made similar comments back in March of last year."

"BLM RI PAC strongly urges RI Governor Dan McKee and House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi to call for her immediate resignation, as those views regardless of political affiliation should never be accepted," the group added.

What did the party say?

Despite the bipartisan outrage facing Coyne-McCoy, top Democrats in Rhode Island are bucking the backlash.

Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D), for example, said he spoke with Coyne-McCoy and was satisfied with her admission of regret.

"Kate Coyne-McCoy's tweet from her personal account was offensive and it does not reflect my views or those of the Rhode Island Democratic Party," Shekarchi told the Providence Journal. "I have spoken to her and she is extremely remorseful, and I'm pleased she apologized."

Meanwhile, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) refused to call for Coyne-McCoy's resignation, saying he thinks Democrats should "let the process play out."

Democrat Strategist Wishes Death On Sen. Lindsey Graham After He Tests Positive For COVID

The political strategist leading the Rhode Island Democratic Party said she hopes Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham dies from COVID-19.

Top Democratic Party leader faces backlash after wishing death upon Lindsey Graham after senator contracts COVID-19



A top Democratic Party official in Rhode Island is apologizing Tuesday after facing backlash for wishing death upon Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who announced Monday that he had contracted COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated.

What is the background?

Graham revealed that he is experiencing "mild symptoms" after testing positive for COVID-19. He also praised the COVID-19 vaccine, saying he would probably feel much worse without it.

"I feel like I have a sinus infection and at present time I have mild symptoms. I will be quarantining for ten days," Graham said. "I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse."

What did the party official say?

Political strategist Kate Coyne-McCoy of the Rhode Island Democratic Party responded to Graham's diagnosis by wishing he would die from the virus.

"It's wrong to hope he dies from Covid right? Asking for a friend," Coyne-McCoy said, adding the hashtags, "#COVIDISNOTOVER" and "#LINDSEYGRAHAM."

Coyne-McCoy quickly deleted the tweet after it began generating attention — and backlash — online. But, as they say, the internet lives forever.

The de facto executive director of the @RIDemParty apparently wants #SCSEN @LindseyGrahamSC to die of coronavirus.… https://t.co/WYHs1aDTK9
— Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) 1627959856.0

Coyne-McCoy is not your typical political strategist. When she was hired by the Rhode Island Democratic Party in March, the party said she would "develop and implement programs that will modernize the party and position Democrats to win from the top to the bottom of the ballot."

She is essentially the co-leader of the state Democratic Party. Her Twitter bio states that she is "leading" the state party.

In fact, Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairman Joseph McNamara, speaking of her hiring, said he and Coyne-McCoy would be "working closely" as "we build an even stronger party."

What did her apology say?

Coyne-McCoy posted an apology Tuesday morning, saying she regretted exercising "poor judgement."

"I made a mistake. I used poor judgement which I obviously regret," she said.

I made a mistake. I used poor judgement which I obviously regret.
— katecoynemccoy (@katecoynemccoy) 1627989687.0

The apology quickly generated more than a thousand responses, with most people expressing disbelief that Coyne-McCoy genuinely regretted what she wrote.

  • "It's not a mistake when you think it through enough to type it out. Come on! You've been around long enough to know that you were going to get called out on it. The only regret you have is getting caught," one person said.
  • "No you regret the backlash. You meant your words, there was no mistake," another person said.
  • "You didn't make a mistake. You said it because you wanted it," one person wrote in response.
  • "There is a difference between poor judgement and gross negligence, especially from someone in a leading role," another person pointed out.

The Rhode Island Democratic Party did not return a request for comment from TheBlaze.