By Mayukh Saha
On 25th May 2020, African American man George Floyd’s death sent a wave of protests all over the United States against racial profiling and police brutality. The protest grew bigger and louder despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many have taken to online protests in view of the current pandemic caused lockdowns.
Videos of police officers using force to subdue protesters and journalists have flooded social media. Some videos show the officers handling tear gas, rubber bullets, batons, and flash-bang grenades. As tension keeps rising, some police officers have come forward in open support of the protesters, standing against racism and police brutality.
Read More: Bus Drivers Across The Country Refusing To Transport Arrested George Floyd Protesters To Jail
One Sheriff in Michigan, Chris Swanson, told the protesters that he wanted to transform the ongoing protests into a parade. He then laid down his baton, protective helmet, and joined the crowd. Similar sentiments arose in New Jersey, California, Missouri, and North Dakota.
In Camden, NJ, protestors took to the streets to peacefully protest racial injustice.
When police saw them marching, they did something.
They decided to join them. #riots2020 #GeorgeFloyd #laprotest #LosAngelesriots #GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/84eagEYFv5
— Beth Doane (@BethDoane) May 31, 2020
An HIP intern was filming a protest in Ferguson, MO at the police station when this happened…. As the protest leader called for a 9 1/2 minute knee in honor of George Floyd; Ferguson police of every color also took a knee in joint honor with protest. #WeStandTogether pic.twitter.com/6iN0dMroby
— Heroic Imagination (@HIPorg) May 31, 2020
However, other cities witnessed the protests go violent despite these few heartwarming moments.
Police Chief in Atlanta, Erika Shields, went viral after she opened her heart to a protesting woman last Friday. She defused the tense situation by saying that she understood why the protesters were angry. She further acknowledged the right of the protesters to feel scared and voice their opinion against police brutality. Shields also added that she was there to ensure that the protesters get to voice their opinions in a safe and sound manner.
Oh my God it’s happening in Flint too.
Protesters chanted: “WALK WITH US!!”
So the sheriff and his men joined the protest.#GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/igRsMyD5aD
— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) May 31, 2020
Pictured is @FargoPolice holding hands with protest organizers & a sign ‘We are one race… The HUMAN race.’ Truly powerful. pic.twitter.com/szkwRTmDAg
— Bailey Hurley (@BaileyHurleyVNL) May 30, 2020
George Floyd, as captured on videos, died after a police officer tried arresting him by kneeling on his neck. Floyd was a 46-year-old Black man and father of two young daughters, 6 and 22 years old. The video footage, that’s gone viral, shows three other police officers standing nearby as the incident took place. Floyd can be heard saying “I can’t breathe.”
All four police officers have been terminated. Derek Chauvin, the white officer seen kneeling on the Black man, has been charged and arrested for third-degree murder.
The ongoing pandemic, economic fallout leading millions to lose their jobs, racism and police brutality have fueled protests not just in the U.S, but across the globe.
Numerous reports of physical assault by the police officers on protesters have come up. An NYPD vehicle has been reported for driving into the assembled crowd of protesters. A photojournalist in Minneapolis took a rubber bullet hit in one eye, causing permanent blindness.
Meanwhile, tensions de-escalated in Santa Cruz as the Police Chief kneeled down with the protesters. The police department later tweeted saying that the move was an effort by the department to highlight the bias and racism involved in police brutality.
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_Thaler pic.twitter.com/EmfAfcIZaM
— Santa Cruz Police (@SantaCruzPolice) May 30, 2020
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
Two police officers in Kansas City were seen holding a poster arguing to end police brutality. Officers in Fargo were seen holding hands with protesters in a show of solidarity.
Source: Truth Theory
Hey! Message me. I am Mayukh. I help people and websites with content, videos, design, and social media management. I am an avid traveler and I started living as a digital nomad in Europe since 2019. I am currently working on www.noetbook.com – a creative media company. You can reach out to me anytime: justmayukh@gmail.
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