What Black Lives Matter really wants from 2016 presidential candidates

For Black Lives Matter activist Allen Kwabena Frimpong, answering a debate question is not enough. Illustration by Max Fleishman, The Daily Dot.

Thus far, the presidential debates have barely mentioned Black Lives Matter, and the movement is now petitioning for that to change.

The Black Lives Matter network recently sent out a call to the Democratic National Committee for a Democratic presidential debate focused solely on racial justice policies. “It is not enough to poll the presidential candidates on whether or not they think ‘Black Lives Matter’ or ‘All Lives Matter,’” the petition reads on Color of Change. “We deserve substantive responses and policy recommendations. We deserve substance and not rhetoric. In fact, we demand it.”

The DNC offered a town hall. Black Lives Matter appreciated the quick response, but made it clear in a followup press release they want a debate, not a town hall.