‘Black Lives Matter’ Co-Founder Invited by Democrat To State of the Union Speech

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) has invited a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter group, Alicia Garza, to be her official guest at President Obama’s last State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Garza and Lee both confirmed the news from their respective Twitter accounts.

Honored to be joining my congressperson, a consistent advocate against war and militarism, and 4 Black liberation. https://t.co/qR1b1Q8dXc

— alicia garza (@aliciagarza) January 8, 2016

Looking forward to welcoming #BlackLivesMatter co-creator, @aliciagarza, as my #SOTU guest. She’s a powerful voice for justice and reform.

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) January 8, 2016

Garza is among several people who founded Black Lives Matter in 2013.

Lee has served as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and was the Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Black Lives Matter demonstrations dominated the national news in recents years as agitators’ calls for violence against cops and a decreased police presence in minority neighborhoods gained traction.

Last August, Black Lives Matter protesters stormed a stage and forced Bernie Sanders into the crowd at his own presidential campaign rally. Two weeks later, Black Lives Matter activists confronted Hillary Clinton. That contentious conversation was caught on camera.

President Obama’s final State of the Union will “represent the progress we have made since the President first delivered this speech seven years ago–from the brink of a second Great Depression and two costly wars to an economy that is growing and renewed American leadership abroad,” the White House said Sunday.

The White House has listed 24 State of the Union guests on behalf of first lady Michelle Obama and the president.

Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter @jeromeehudson.