In Louisville, Kentucky, the president of the local Fraternal Order of Police has issued an open letter lashing out at Black Lives Matter activists in the wake of a fatal police shooting. Fraternal Order of Police President Dave Mutchler wrote, “To the sensationalists, liars and race-baiters, we are done with you. At first it was good enough to sit back and watch your ridiculous spectacle. No more.” Mutchler continued: “Your idiocy and lies are what caused the destruction in Ferguson and other cities around our country and we won’t be tolerating that here.” Mutchler defended his letter at a news conference Friday.

Dave Mutchler: “Because this letter was honest, and it was blunt. It’s pretty obvious that was the case. But while it’s important for me to come out here and let everyone know this is how my members feel, this is what we think is going on, only then can we move forward and actually have an honest dialogue and get over the window dressing that oftentimes happens between the police and, you know, sections of the community that think that there can be improvement or otherwise with the police department.”

Louisville’s mayor and police chief have criticized Mutchler’s “threatening tone.” His remarks follow protests over a white Louisville police officer’s fatal shooting of a Sudanese immigrant. Surveillance video appears to show Deng Manyoun wielding a flagpole, but protesters have questioned whether it was necessary for Officer Nathan Blanford to kill him.