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We Need More Cops Like This! US sheriff puts down baton and marches with protesters for George Floyd

Published

6 months ago

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Police officers have been joining the protests around the US, marching and kneeling in solidarity with the demonstrators as they continue to speak out against police brutality.

A Michigan sheriff joined protesters in Flint Township on Saturday, putting down his weapon and saying, “I want to make this a parade, not a protest.”

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson was met with cheers when he told the group of protesters he wanted to join them in their march.

“The only reason we’re here is to make sure that you got a voice — that’s it,” Swanson said in video clips shown on Twitter.
“These cops love you — that cop over there hugs people,” he said, pointing to an officer.
He was speaking to the crowd protesting police brutality and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
He smiled and high-fived people in the crowd, who responded by chanting, “walk with us!”
So, he did.
“Let’s go, let’s go,” Swanson said as he and the cheering crowd proceeded. “Where do you want to walk? We’ll walk all night.”

Saturday’s event offered a welcome contrast to violent confrontations in cities across the country.
People took to social media to champion Swanson’s actions.
“This is the correct response from police #WalkWithUs,” Gwen Campbell tweeted

JJ Milliken, another Swanson supporter, said via Twitter: “#WalkWithUs is how we change a system that murdered #GeorgeFloyd. It requires mindfulness of our actions and beliefs. Chris Swanson exemplifies the deputies and officers I know and respect. Community-first mentality and lead by example. This is a mindful action. This is change.”

 

On Friday Swanson addressed George Floyd’s death via a Facebook post.
“I join with the chorus of citizens and law enforcement officials alike, calling for the swift arrest and prosecution of each police officer involved in this appalling crime,” he wrote. “The actions we witnessed on that video destroy countless efforts to bolster community policing efforts across our nation, and erode trust that is painstakingly built.”

Meanwhile, New Jersey police from Camden County also joined the protesters, marching in their ranks with banners reading “standing in solidarity”.

The local business owner who organised the protest said it was “really moving” to have the officers stand with them as they marched against police brutality.

“They were like, ‘This is your march, we’re marching behind you, you lead the way,’ and that’s what we did,” salon owner Yolanda Deaver told ABC America.

 

In California, officers from the Santa Cruz Police Department took a knee alongside hundreds of protesters lining a downtown street.

Their chief Andy Mills was among them, with Santa Cruz Mayor Justin Cummings also joining in the crowd.

 

Officers were also photographed taking a knee in honour of George Floyd in New York and Florida.

 

 

 

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