All Gov. Nathan Deal wanted to do was honor police officers — shot at a Dallas demonstration — by ordering that the U.S. and Georgia state flags be flown at half-staff at Department of Public Safety buildings.
But the words he used in his executive order, calling the demonstration an “anti-police protest,” brought a storm of criticism that forced him to reissue the order and explain himself a few hours later.
The police shootings occurred at a demonstration against the recent shootings of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana by police officers.
The response to Deal’s order proved yet another example of how quickly a public figure’s choice of words can blow up in today’s social media world, particularly when they are addressing such a highly-charged, emotional issue.
On Twitter, @Solomon Pinkins wrote, “@GovernorDeal this post however well meaning shows you are out of step with what’s happening. It was not an ‘anti police rally.’ “
His response on Twitter was one of the milder ones.
It all started Friday morning when Deal posted on Twitter his executive order to fly the flags at half-staff.
“Today we mourn the lives of five law enforcement officers who were gunned down in a coordinated sniper attack during an anti-police protest,” Deal wrote.
The backlash on Twitter was almost immediate.
The ajc.com story on Deal’s executive order was quickly flooded with comments, some supporting what he said, others opposing it.
About two hours after it was posted, the governor reissued the order and tried to explain what he meant the first time around.
“I’ve reissued the executive order regarding lowering flags to half-staff in memory of the fallen officers in Texas to mirror the presidential proclamation,” he said.
“In addition, I’d like to clarify the previous executive order I issued. The anti-police incident to which I referred was the shooting of law enforcement officers, as that was the stated intent of the shooters, and not of those peacefully demonstrating.
“Again, my thoughts and prayers are with all those who’ve suffered loss of a loved one this week.”
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