Defiant Quentin Tarantino launches stinging attack on cop unions and 'the problem of white supremacy' in policing while defending his protest comments

  • Tarantino branded a 'cop hater' after taking part in anti-police brutality rally
  • Police unions have called for a boycott of upcoming film The Hateful Eight
  • Tonight he stood by his stance and said unions are trying to intimidate him
  • Said union bosses started a fight with him to distract from the real issue
  • Added the problem in policing today is 'the problem of white supremacy'

By Chris Pleasance For Dailymail.com

Published: 22:49 EST, 4 November 2015 | Updated: 16:05 EST, 5 November 2015

He might be facing a national backlash after being filmed at an anti-police brutality protest calling some officers 'murderers', but Quentin Tarantino showed no sign of backing down tonight.

Speaking on All In with Chris Hayers on MSNBC, he hit out at the police unions that have criticized him, saying 'they would rather start an argument with celebrities' than tackle the real issue.

Pressed on what he believes that issue is exactly, he said it was 'ultimately a problem of white supremacy in this country'. 

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Quentin Tarantino has continued to stand by his controversial comments on police brutality, denying that he is a 'cop hater' and accusing police unions of trying to slander him in order to shut him up

Quentin Tarantino has continued to stand by his controversial comments on police brutality, denying that he is a 'cop hater' and accusing police unions of trying to slander him in order to shut him up

Tarantino has been accused of endangering officers' lives after he was filmed at protest ten days ago saying: 'I have to call the murdered the murdered, and I have to call the murderers the murderers'

Tarantino has been accused of endangering officers' lives after he was filmed at protest ten days ago saying: 'I have to call the murdered the murdered, and I have to call the murderers the murderers'

Hundreds of thousands of police officers have said they plan to boycott Tarantino's new film, The Hateful Eight, after he appeared at a demonstration ten days ago.

During the police brutality march, which took place in New York, Tarantino was filmed addressing marchers inside Washington Square Park.

Speaking into a microphone, he said: 'When I see murders I cannot stand by. I have to call the murdered the murdered, and I have to call the murderers the murderers.'

Critics, including Patrolmen's Benevolent Association head Patrick Lynch, have since accused Tarantino of branding all police officers killers and of putting their lives in danger with his rhetoric.

However, Tarantino tonight hit back, saying: 'They're being inflammatory, they're slandering me, I'm not a cop hater, but that's the way they attack me.

'They say I'm putting police in danger by standing up for the rights of unarmed citizens who have been killed by the police.

'Anybody who acknowledges there's a problem with law enforcement in this country right now is considered part of the problem, whether that be me, Bill de Blasio or Barack Obama.'

Tonight he called out union bosses saying they are 'more interested in picking a fight with celebrities' than facing up to the real issue in policing which he believes is 'the problem of white supremacy' 

Tonight he called out union bosses saying they are 'more interested in picking a fight with celebrities' than facing up to the real issue in policing which he believes is 'the problem of white supremacy' 

Asked how he had come to be involved in the protest, Tarantino said the organizers reached out to him after reading interviews in which he had appeared 'on their side over this issue'.

Elaborating on exactly what the issue is, Tarantino said it was 'ultimately what I feel is a problem of white supremacy in this country.'

He also said that the strong reaction he has received in the wake of his comments had surprised him, adding 'I though I was in America and simply exercising my first amendment rights.'

His comments tonight echo those he made earlier in the day to the LA Times, in which he said: 'Their message is very clear. It's to shut me down. It's to discredit me. It is to intimidate me.

'It is to shut my mouth, and more importantly, it is to send a message out to any other prominent person that might feel the need to join that side of the argument. I'm not being intimidated.'

The National Association of Police Organizations, alongside local groups in New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia, have led a potentially costly backlash against the director.

Among the most vitriolic critics of Tarantino has been Patrolmen's Benevolent Association head Patrick Lynch, who labelled him a cop hater while disparaging his films

Among the most vitriolic critics of Tarantino has been Patrolmen's Benevolent Association head Patrick Lynch, who labelled him a cop hater while disparaging his films

Lynch, along with other local police organizations, are pushing for a boycott of Tarantino's new film The Hateful Eight (pictured) which is due out on general release early next year

Lynch, along with other local police organizations, are pushing for a boycott of Tarantino's new film The Hateful Eight (pictured) which is due out on general release early next year

They, alongside roughly 200,000 officers, have pledged to boycott Tarantino's new film, The Hateful Eight, when it comes out early next year.

But despite the brewing controversy over the film, Weinstein Co, which will distribute the movie, has today backed Tarantino, saying he is 'free to speak his mind'.

Jamie Foxx, the star of Tarantino's last film Django Unchained, has also backed the controversial movie maker.

At the Hollywood Film Awards, Foxx said: 'Keep telling the truth and don't worry about none of the haters.'

Django Unchained earned $425.4million globally and won two Oscars, including best screenplay for Tarantino. 

 

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