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Ray Lewis: 'I'm Trying to Figure Out Why No One Is Paying Attention to Black Men Killing Black Men'

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Former Raven Ray Lewis is rocking the boat with a controversial new video. In it, he takes on the Black Lives Matter movement.

His impassioned plea urging African-Americans to stop killing each other has sparked both praise and protest.

Meghan McCorkell has more on the controversy.

In the viral video, Lewis addresses the spike in violence nationwide and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Back in Baltimore, Ravens great Ray Lewis signs autographs for fans, as controversy swirls about a video he posted on social media.

"We've got babies in Baltimore being shot in the middle of the streets," he said in the video.

In the nine-minute rant posted Saturday, Lewis is critical of the Black Lives Matter movement.

"I'm trying to figure out in my mind why no one is paying attention to black men killing black men," said Lewis, noting the increase in shootings and homicides in cities across the country, especially Chicago.

"We keep screaming 'black lives matter.' If they really matter, then let's do ourselves a favor, let's stop killing black folks," he said.

Lewis spoke to WJZ in the wake of last year's violence following the death of Freddie Gray.

"Some people think football is stressful. Trying to convince people not to kill each other, that's a whole other mentality," he said.

His recent anti-violence video has been seen by more than four million people.

"He's just trying to be the voice. Everybody looks up to him," said Keith Scruggs.

But some local advocates of the Black Lives Matter movement say they're not happy with Lewis' message.

"Especially disheartening because he is a black man and he does come from a city that has a history of racist police brutality," said Kira-Lynae Pindell, People's Power Assembly.

Still, some say Lewis makes valid points.

"It's reflective of what many people have raised around the country," said Andre Powell, activist.

And Lewis' message continues to spread, as it is forwarded across social media platforms.

Lewis has not publicly commented on the controversy surrounding his video.

Activists say they are upset the video was released so close to the one-year anniversary of Freddie Gray's death.

Watch the full video below.

We Must Change What We Are Doing

my heart is hurting - we must do better

Posted by Ray Lewis on Saturday, April 2, 2016

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