BATON ROUGE - A statement from the Baton Rouge Union of Police condemns a community leader for wearing an “inflammatory t-shirt” at recent protests over the death of Alton Sterling during an officer involved shooting.

The BRUP also took the opportunity to express its gratitude for the service of the officers killed and injured in Sunday’s ambush shooting on Airline Highway.

The statement says the t-shirt only served to “instigate and validate” violence against law enforcement.

The full statement can be read by clicking here.

That leader, Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, released a statement in reply to the message from the Baton Rouge Union of Police.

“I stand in support of the press release from the Baton Rouge Police Union, and share their grief.  This is a time for all of Baton Rouge to stand together! What has happened in our city over the past two weeks has been horrible and I reiterate my condolences to the Sterling family, the Jackson family, the Gerald family, the Garafola family and the entire law enforcement community.” said Rep. Marcelle.

She apologized if the shirt, which featured a blood spatter design in protest of the death of Alton Sterling, offended anyone. She points out that after Sunday’s shooting, she was photographed wearing a similar shirt that bore the names of the slain officers who died due to unnecessary bloodshed.

Her statement concluded with:  “I have always been a proponent of equity for all citizens and will continue to demand fairness for ALL people. I will continue to be against ALL violence because there has been entirely too much bloodshed and I look forward to better days ahead. Finally, I want to thank those law enforcement officers who have thanked me for praying for them and for pleading with the citizens not to result in violence, for encouraging protesters to turn off music that was offensive to police, for going to the scene at Airline Hwy. and Goodwood to ask protesters to get out of the street and for standing for peaceful protests!  Baton Rouge is better together!”