by Kara Machowski
The past week has been one that will forever remained ingrained in American history and the memories of all Americans across the country. George Floyd was killed last Monday, Memorial Day. Since then the country has not been able to rest after witnessing the horrendous event that was captured in multiple videos that displayed eight and a half heartbreaking minutes off former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, who begged for his life and his mother who is deceased.
Since then dozens and dozens of protests have popped up all over the country, mainly in major cities, and few protests bled rioters and many protests turned into violent riots and looting as the sun began to set. Some were shot over the weekend and few unfairly lost their lives. Unfortunately the death of George Floyd was used in vain by selfish looters and rioters who decided to take advantage of protests to wreak havoc in cities, burning and overturning police vehicles while some police officers retaliated with rubber bullets, tear gas, batons and vehicles.
In Chicago two police vehicles ran into the crowd while one pushed a metal barrier into protesters as rioters attacked one of the vehicles. However, the powerful and breathtaking moments weren’t singularly in the moments of disorder, but when surfaced when police officers laid down their batons, their helmets, tear gas and they held hands with protesters, or took a knee. Here are all of the amazing moments of peaceful protesting and where police became citizens, marching for a greater cause.
Flint, Michigan
Police sheriff, Chris Swanson spoke directly to demonstrators as he took off his hard helmet with a protection shield, his weapons and shook hands and hugged protesters in Flint Township on Saturday.
Swanson stated, “we’re here to make sure that you have a voice, that’s it. Don’t think for a second that he (Chauvin) represents who these cops are from all over the county and around the (our) station. We’re here to help people, not (to) do that nonsense”. He smiled to show his good nature and intentions and continued, “I took the helmet off and put the baton down. I want to make this parade a protest”.
Swanson pointed out in the crowd the kids and dogs, showing that there were people of all sizes, colors and well, some other species in support of the march, not rioters looking to spread destruction.
Denver, Colorado
Demonstrators laid on the ground in the streets in Denver on Saturday.
New Jersey
Camden County police Chief, Joseph Wysocki, asked an organizer if he could join in the march and held a banner of solidarity in the front of the line and said he was welcomed with open arms. Wysocki has belonged to the Camden County Police Force for almost 30 years. He explained how one demonstrator shouted, “black lives matter”, and turned to him and sincerely said, “sorry”. Wysocki responded that it was okay and that was exactly the reason why him and other police officers joined in the demonstration. He explained how upset he was with the whole George Floyd situation and how him and cops everywhere were shocked.
In Newark, New Jersey demonstrators danced the “cupid shuffle” while marching in the streets.
New York City, New York
In New York City, where many protests brooded rioters, the NYPD joined the peaceful demonstrators and took a knee, whether mirroring the NFL's demonstration for Black Lives Matter, to represent George Floyd's death, or to simply take a moment of silence and perhaps pray.
Georgia
State police marched with demonstrators. City leaders in Savannah, including, Mayor Van Johnson, joined in the racially diverse crowd of protesters who marched from Johnson Square to City Hall. At a point during the rally Johnson spoke to the crowd as they broke into a chant of “arrest the other three,” referring to the other Minneapolis police officers who stood by while Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck.
Johnson responded with,“Yeah, they should arrest the other three”.
Houston
The police chief made a statement in agreeance with citizens and stated, “we will march with everybody in this community”, while in while in Kansas City officers held signs against police brutality and hugged demonstrators.
Louisville
Police officers wearing helmets with shields embraced local citizens who were demonstrating.
Coral Gables, Florida
Officers kneeled and mirrored controversial demonstration set by Colin Kaepernick, and one that gained not only national attention, but President Trump spoke out against his protest. However the officers clasped the their hands and bowed their heads in a moment of silence and prayers.
California
While demonstrations in Los Angeles turned into riots and looters lit an inferno on Melrose, in Beverly Hills demonstrators danced wearing beautiful outfits, a scene that one might see for a celebration or a parade. Unfortunately due to surrounding riots the march was shut down by police and turned into a different sort of scene.
In Santa Cruz, California, police chief, Andy Mills took a knee with demonstrators while the department tweeted that it was in memory of George Floyd;
What's to take away is the difference between treating demonstrators like civilians. There were over 4,000 arrests over the weekend and many reporters found it hard to watch looters run away with thousands of dollars of merchandise while demonstrators who raised their hands to show their peace or sat on the floor were arrested instead of the criminals who were using the demonstrations to wreak personal devastation against “the man”. There are police officers across the country who are outraged with what happened to George Floyd and are upset that police officers still commit police brutality and bring a bad name and image to those police officers who are truly there to do their job; protect and serve all Americans.
***I want to add that a man was killed in Louisville. David McAtee, the owner of YaYa's BBQ in western Louisville, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Monday morning, an incident that's now under state and local police investigation.****
ความคิดเห็น