Police Departments across the United States have been making attempts to show solidarity and sympathy with those protesting the death of George Floyd – hoping also that their actions will calm the unrest still gripping the country that has resulted in fires, looting and several deaths.
Law enforcement officials across the country have carried out a number of actions that have come in for both praise and criticism. In cities across the United States officers ceremoniously kneeled with protestors.
Kneeling has become a symbolic gesture against racism and police brutality since Colin Kaepernick first took a knee against unjust police killings several years ago. Miami, New York and Washington were all cities in which officers made the gesture, while in Ferguson, Missouri – the scene of huge unrest years ago following the killing of unarmed Black teenager Michael Brown police drew applause for the same gesture.
Chief Wysocki on the march today, standing together with the residents we serve to remember and honor George Floyd. #StrongerTogether #CamdenStrong pic.twitter.com/UJAjxXkxrx
— Camden County Police (@CamdenCountyPD) May 31, 2020
In New Jersey a police department unfurled a banner stating ‘standing in solidarity’ and officers could be seen to say ‘no justice, no peace’.
WATCH: Police officers across the country kneel and march in solidarity with protesters. pic.twitter.com/QnuWcH6fPL
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 1, 2020
The New Jersey Camden County Police Chief Joe Wysocki said in relation to the video showing the death of George Floyd, “I think we watched a murder unfold on video.”
In Michigan a Sherriff was seen on video joining his police with protestors saying: ‘These cops love you’ – the video has now become widespread on social media.
Amazing scene unfolding in Flint, Twp, Michigan. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson has joined protesters in a peaceful march. Read More: https://t.co/4ioyUnymNv @MichStatePolice @GovWhitmer pic.twitter.com/nMCVuXQ0TZ
— Mid-Michigan NOW (@midmichigannow) May 31, 2020
Phoenix Arizona Police Chief Jeri Williams said: “While I don’t know all the circumstances of his death, I’ve seen the video, I too, like most of the country and other chiefs around the country, are absolutely outraged with what I saw.”
But not all actions by the police have been viewed as being legitimately or authentically supportive. For instance in Kansas, Missouri images emerged of two police officers, white and black, holding a sign stating ‘End police brutality now’.
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
However local resident Erica Batton tweeted:
“I want to point out that they’ve been threatening protesters with pepper spray for the last 2 days here. A video went viral of a KC cop coming up to a black man’s car with his gun drawn for not using a turn signal a few days ago. This is a nice pic but just a snapshot.”
I want to point out that they’ve been threatening protesters w/ pepper spray for the last 2 days here. A video went viral of a KC cop coming up to a black man’s car w/ his gun drawn for not using a turn signal a few days ago.
— Erica Batton (@ericadrawsstuff) May 30, 2020
This is a nice pic but just a snapshot.
Indeed in Kansas protests were later broken up using rubber-bullets, tear-gas and the use of batons.
While it is heartening to see that some police officers are reacting to the issues underlying the protests this has obviously not been universal, one such brutal incident among a sea of outrageous incidents involved a white police officer in New York appearing to give a ‘white-power’ hand gesture to a protestor.
NYPD officer throws up a white power sign in Union Square. 🤮Hey @NYPDnews @NYPDShea, come get ya boy. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/CZrb9nzFEM
— Chad Loder (@chadloder) May 31, 2020
It would appear that police and community relations have a long way to go before any sort of trust can be created.
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