Berkeley mom films confrontation with white man who ripped down Black Lives Matter signs

Friday, June 19, 2020
BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- A Berkeley mom recorded a disturbing interaction with a man who was ripping down her Chalk for Justice: Black Lives Matter posters in her neighborhood Friday.

"As a Black, biracial woman, given everything that's happening, I hit record right away," said Henriette, who asked that we not use her last name for her safety.

Henriette asked the man why he ripped down her posters.

FULL VIDEO: Berkeley woman films confrontation with man ripping down Black Lives Matter signs
FULL VIDEO: Berkeley woman films confrontation with man who ripped down Black Lives Matter signs


"Because I think it's obnoxious for you to preach to me and to everybody else," he responded. "What... did we have a president for eight years who was Black, what the hell is the matter with you? Are you sick in the brain?" he continued.

"No, I'm not sure if you're aware of all the Black men who are dying in this country right now? At the hands of police," Henriette responded.

"And there are many Black men that are killing Black men," the man said.

VIDEO: What motivates a 'Karen'? Experts weigh in on popular term
What motivates a 'Karen'? Experts weigh in


Henrietta is pregnant and was with her two small children, ages 4 and 2.

"I was enraged and frustrated," she told ABC7 News Reporter Melanie Woodrow by phone. And she says she was surprised by some of his comments that didn't seem to add up.

"If you think that I wasn't upset to watch George get killed in front of us, you're wrong, that was about as obnoxious as I've heard, but Black Lives Matter, going around preaching... what a bunch of (expletive)," said the man.

VIDEO: SF man says white couple called police for stenciling 'Black Lives Matter' on his property
Couple who confronts SF man for stenciling 'Black Lives Matter' on his own property apologizes


Henriette says she's never seen the man in her neighborhood before.

"I have no, no embarrassment over what I'm doing, what you should be is embarrassed, because you're holding up signs and you're marching down like you're a really sorrowful and precious person," said the man to Henriette as she recorded him.

"This man clearly needs a lot of education and I think that he was reaching and trying to further agitate me," said Henriette to ABC7 News by phone.

RELATED: San Francisco man who allegedly threatened family wearing Black Lives Matter shirts arrested on hate crime charges

"What a dumb (expletive) chick you are," said the man.

"Thank you, I really appreciate it, do you want to tell us your name for the camera," Henriette responded.

"Go (expletive) yourself," the man said as he walked away.

Henriette says another neighbor confronted the man nearby and he claimed he was looking for her to "offer reparations."
Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.