Police officers joined protesters marching against brutality in many cities
By Mark PygasJun. 1 2020, Updated 8:57 a.m. ET
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."
In Orlando, Florida, two officers held hands with demonstrators.
In Flint, Michigan, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson joined protesters in their march on Saturday.
"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.
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.
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.
Miami Dade County officers also took to a knee with demonstrators.
As did Lexington Police.
"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."
The police chief of Schenectady, New York, also took part in marches there.
Portland riot police knelt in solidarity with protesters.
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.
"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.
Police in Coral Gables, Florida, took a knee with demonstrators in memory of George Floyd.
