Police Join Protesters in Marches Across the Country: 'Good Cops Are Sick to Their Stomachs'
By: YahooEnt
I don't want to take away from the tragedy of Mr. Floyd, the awfulness of the rioting and looting, or the outrage of people who are peacefully protesting. But do you think we could focus on "feel good" stuff that has happened over the last few days?
I saw a photo yesterday of NG troops laying down their shield in front of protestors. It gave me hope.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
As police and protesters clashed over the weekend regarding the killing of George Floyd, some members of law enforcement did the unexpected: They joined marches to decry police brutality.
On Saturday, Camden County Police Chief Joseph Wysocki joined protesters in Camden, New Jersey, as they marched for Floyd, 46, who died on May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, 44, kneeled on Floyd's neck while restraining him. It was caught on video by a 17-year-old girl who was walking by.
"Watching Floyd's murder unfold on video, every cop in the country is sick to their stomach," Wysocki, 49, who held a banner that read, "Standing in Solidarity," tells PEOPLE.
Chief Wysocki on the march today, standing together with the residents we serve to remember and honor George Floyd. #StrongerTogether#CamdenStrongpic.twitter.com/UJAjxXkxrx — Camden County Police (@CamdenCountyPD) May 31, 2020
"Good cops are hurt by what they saw," he says. "So I thought it was important to walk with the protesters."
In the video, Chauvin kneels on Floyd's neck for nearly 9 minutes with his hand casually in his pocket as bystanders urge him to get up.
Visibly distressed, Floyd repeatedly asks for help, saying, "I can't breathe."
"Momma!" he called out before he died. "I'm through!"
Shortly after, Chauvin was fired from the Minneapolis Police Department. He is charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He has not yet entered a plea.
As the police chief of a city notorious for its decades-long high crime rate, Wysocki said, "My whole goal was to bring down the tension."
The same thing happened in Flint Township, Michigan, on Sunday, when protesters marched to the Flint Township Police Department Headquarters and found themselves faced with police in riot gear.
With tensions riding high there, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson stepped in and diffused the situation by saying, "We want to be with y'all, for real."
He shocked onlookers when he said he was putting down his helmet and said the officers there were laying down their batons.
"I want to make this a parade, not a protest!" he told the crowd, CNN reports.
When they started chanting, "Walk with us!" that's exactly what he did.
A sheriff joined a protest in Flint, Michigan, after speaking with demonstrators who were met by police officers in riot gear, according to CNN affiliate WEYI.
"I want to make this a parade, not a protest," Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said. https://t.co/zy6p5QbSLHpic.twitter.com/1Cgce89VP1 — CNN (@CNN) June 1, 2020
"Come on!" he yelled.
As they walked together, amid cries of "George Floyd!" protesters talked to the sheriff about how they felt when black men are the targets of police brutality.
He listened.
Later that night, Swanson declared the march a success. "Not one ounce of damage, nobody's arrested, nobody got hurt. This is the way it's supposed to be."
Over the weekend, officers from Queens, New York, Coral Gables, Florida, and Ferguson, Missouri, as well as other places kneeled with demonstrators during rallies and protests.
In Santa Cruz, Police Chief Andy Mills knelt down "in memory of George Floyd" and to bring "attention to police violence against Black people," the department tweeted.
SCPD is fully supportive of peaceful protests @CityofSantaCruz and we always keep them safe.
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_Thalerpic.twitter.com/EmfAfcIZaM — Santa Cruz Police (@SantaCruzPolice) May 30, 2020
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In Dallas, Police Chief U. Renee Hall caught people's attention on Twitter when she was seen on a video Friday night talking calmly to protesters.
"You got the sidewalks, the streets," she said. "We are blocking the streets so no car will hit you. But don't hit my officers. Don't do that. You can walk all night long and we going to be out here. But don't hit my people."
Dallas Police chief Hall spoke with a protestor. Tells them to stay off the streets and not hit police vehicles. @dallasnewspic.twitter.com/dKWlrprLQH — Obed Manuel (@obedmanuel) May 30, 2020
Treating the protesters with honesty and empathy is key, she tells PEOPLE. "They know I respect them," says Hall. "They know that I honor their case and support what they are doing and at that moment they heard me."
Dallas area clergy and community members came together today to pray for the City of Dallas. #PrayTogether@DallasPD@CityOfDallas@dallasmavspic.twitter.com/xoZRdEkkOL — RENEE HALL (@ChiefHallDPD) May 31, 2020
Going forward, she says, "We have to acknowledge the fact that there has been a divide and oppression in the black and brown community by law enforcement for many many years.
"We have to work alongside our community to put policies and practices in place to ensure that these things don't happen again."
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Hope is good. People always have hope.
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I have a feeling that the blue wall of silence is crumbling because of this.
I was watching my local news this morning and an ABC correspondent did a montage of various protests around the country that showed LEOs marching with the protestors, hugging protestors, and telling protestors they understand and they want justice, too.
I almost cried
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Kudos to those LEO's