NBC NewsWASHINGTON Former FBI Director James Comey faced a gathering of chanting and jeering students at historically black Howard University on Friday, as some activists decried what they see as his efforts to "criminalize" Black Lives Matter.
Protesters, who'd planned the demonstration all week on social media, jumped to their feet in the back of the auditorium to chant before Comey took the stage to speak. Comey, dressed in black academic robes, stood facing the angry group of students gathered in the back of the room shouting "we shall not be moved," "I love being black" and "no justice, no peace."
"I am here at Howard to have a conversation. I hope you listen to what I have to say, " Comey told the protesters to applause from other students, staff and faculty seated in rows closer to the front.
Still, the chants continued throughout Comey's address, even as a minister took to the stage and pleaded for the students to hear out the former FBI director out. Music played from the chorus in an attempt to drown the students out.
At one point, Howard University cut the live feed to the event and replaced it with documentary-style footage of the history of the school. The feed was later put back up.
"Mocking your parents seems funny until you wake up one day and you are your parents," he told the students.
Was just at this event. The group had been planning this for awhile so it wasnt unexpected for me at least.