Police officers joined protesters marching against brutality in many cities
By Mark PygasUpdated
We often tend to focus on the bad, and in recent days, that focus has been on clashes between protesters and police amid national demonstrations sparked by the death of George Floyd. In many cities, tensions have boiled over and led to violence on the part of both protesters and police.
But in many cities across the country, both sides have been respecting each other and engaging in peaceful protest. And in some cities, this cooperation has gone even further, with police joining demonstrators in their marches, and carrying signs condemning police brutality.
An officer of Fargo Police in North Dakota held the hand of a protester as well as a sign that read: "We are one race. The HUMAN race."
Pictured is @FargoPolice holding hands with protest organizers & a sign ‘We are one race... The HUMAN race.’ Truly powerful. pic.twitter.com/szkwRTmDAg
— Bailey Hurley (@BaileyHurleyVNL) May 30, 2020
In Orlando, Florida, two officers held hands with demonstrators.
.@OrlandoPDChief Rolón and @SheriffMina knelt down to pray with demonstrators for #GeorgeFloyd, and everyone hurting right now. Just as @orlandomayor says, Orlando is united in love, compassion, and understanding.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) May 31, 2020
📸 Photo Cred: @OrangeCoSheriff. pic.twitter.com/9O7wtVWRtV
In Flint, Michigan, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson joined protesters in their march on Saturday.
Oh my God it’s happening in Flint too.
— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) May 31, 2020
Protesters chanted: “WALK WITH US!!”
So the sheriff and his men joined the protest.#GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/igRsMyD5aD
"The only reason we're here is to make sure that you got a voice -- that's it," Swanson said. "These cops love you -- that cop over there hugs people."
Protesters asked Swanson to walk with them, to which he responded: "Let's go, let's go. Where do you want to walk? We'll walk all night."
In Ferguson, Missouri, police also took a knee.
An HIP intern was filming a protest in Ferguson, MO at the police station when this happened.... As the protest leader called for a 9 1/2 minute knee in honor of George Floyd; Ferguson police of every color also took a knee in joint honor with protest. #WeStandTogether pic.twitter.com/6iN0dMroby
— Heroic Imagination (@HIPorg) May 31, 2020
The Santa Cruz Police Department were also among those in California to take a knee in memory of George Floyd and to bring attention to police violence.
SCPD is fully supportive of peaceful protests @CityofSantaCruz and we always keep them safe.
— Santa Cruz Police (@SantaCruzPolice) May 30, 2020
Hundreds gathered on Pacific Ave in #SantaCruz, taking a knee together in memory of George Floyd & bringing attention to police violence against Black people. PhotoCredit @Shmuel_Thaler pic.twitter.com/EmfAfcIZaM
Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett knelt with demonstrators as they remembered George Floyd.
He later hugged one of the protesters.
Cops in Kansas City, Missouri, reportedly brought their own signs to protests there.
Apparently cops in Kansas City joined the local protest against police brutality. And my first reaction was to say something smart ass. But this is truly a start. pic.twitter.com/e3sUwaR16h
— Dylan (@dyllyp) May 30, 2020
Miami Dade County officers also took to a knee with demonstrators.
Demonstrators & Police Chiefs from Miami Dade County kneel and say a prayer following the death of #GeorgeFloyd @wsvn #MiamiDade #7News #wsvn @OfficialJoelF pic.twitter.com/TurQB2C36y
— Franklin White (@FranklinWSVN) May 30, 2020
As did Lexington Police.
POWERFUL. The Lexington Police just kneeled after the protesters asked them to kneel. pic.twitter.com/JZIVWuSpZx
— Alex Walker (@AlexWalkerTV) June 1, 2020
"In Camden, New Jersey, protesters took to the streets to peacefully protest racial injustice. When police saw them marching, they did something. They decided to join them."
In Camden, NJ, protestors took to the streets to peacefully protest racial injustice.
— Beth Doane (@BethDoane) May 31, 2020
When police saw them marching, they did something.
They decided to join them. #riots2020 #GeorgeFloyd #laprotest #LosAngelesriots #GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/84eagEYFv5
The police chief of Schenectady, New York, also took part in marches there.
THEY MARCHED WITH US TODAY!! SCHENECTADY NY 🧡🤍🧡 #protests2020 pic.twitter.com/HLNICglPCu
— chino jauregui (@briijauregui) May 31, 2020
Portland riot police knelt in solidarity with protesters.
Applauds & cheers as #Portland riot cops kneel in solidarity with anti-police-brutality protesters
— RT (@RT_com) June 1, 2020
READ MORE: https://t.co/ERyp0lA4s2 pic.twitter.com/sJFLYwg5tj
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo walked arm-in-arm with demonstrators during an event in the city.
Police in Des Moines, Iowa, knelt from behind their barriers.
Incredibly powerful image in Des Moines tonight as law enforcement takes a knee with peaceful protesters downtown. pic.twitter.com/GmG5nRsseJ
— Amber Alexander (@AmberAwx) June 1, 2020
"This was heartwarming to see in Des Moines," Chris Hassel of CBS explained. "As the curfew hit at 9pm CT, downtown protestors said they wanted the police to kneel with them for a couple minutes and they’d go home. Police kneeled, protestors dispersed."
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo knelt at the spot where George Floyd was killed.
Minneapolis Police Chief kneels and prays at memorial site where #gerogefloyd was killed. This photo was taken by reaident Tracy Lewis who said I could share it with ya’ll after my interview with the Chief and the Floyd family. pic.twitter.com/UWZiRs1pX8
— Sara Sidner (@sarasidnerCNN) June 1, 2020
Police in Coral Gables, Florida, took a knee with demonstrators in memory of George Floyd.
Brad Koch, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, also took a knee.
SOLIDARITY: 👏 Brad Koch, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, kneels with protesters during Sunday's demonstrations in uptown Charlotte. » https://t.co/LQ1sD78FIP pic.twitter.com/GPFwiYBbYD
— WBTV News (@WBTV_News) May 31, 2020
