Police Across the Country Standing with George Floyd Protesters

As protests over George Floyd’s death enter their fifth day and tensions between protesters and the police remain at an all-time high in some areas, some police officers and sheriff’s deputies across the country are standing with the protesters.

Police officers have stood in solidarity with the anti-police brutality movements after the death of George Floyd in locations from Santa Cruz, California, to Miami, Florida:

• In Santa Cruz, California, Police Chief Andy Mills kneeled in memory of George Floyd alongside other protesters. Mills has also been outspoken about the subject of police brutality and has slammed the police officers involved in Floyd’s death.

If a police officer saw a criminal kneeling on the neck of a police officer suffocating him/her to death, would they wait to make an arrest? How is this different?

— Andrew Mills (@ChiefAndyMills) May 29, 2020

“If a police officer saw a criminal kneeling on the neck of a police officer suffocating him/her to death, would they wait to make an arrest? How is this different?” Mills tweeted.

• Demonstrators and police chiefs from Miami-Dade County kneeled and said a prayer following Floyd’s death.

Demonstrators & Police Chiefs from Miami Dade County kneel and say a prayer following the death of #GeorgeFloyd @wsvn #MiamiDade #7News #wsvn @OfficialJoelF pic.twitter.com/TurQB2C36y

— Franklin White (@FranklinWSVN) May 30, 2020

• In Flint, Michigan, protesters invited a sheriff to walk alongside them in protest, chanting, “Walk with us!” The sheriff accepted the invitation.

FLINT, MICHIGAN:

Protestors invite a sheriff to walk alongside them in protest.

The sheriff accepts the invitation.

…could this be a glimpse of the #NextNormal?

I sure hope so. #FightDifferent#GeorgeFloyd#AhmaudArbery#BreonnaTaylor#FlintMichigan #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd https://t.co/HLUlzRqVNs

— Van Jones (@VanJones68) May 31, 2020

“We want to be with y’all, for real. I took my helmet off, laid the batons down. I want to make this a parade, not a protest,” Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson told protesters in Flint, Michigan, before he joined the crowd of cheering demonstrators.

• Officers in Camden, New Jersey, helped protesters carry a banner, reading “Standing in Solidarity,” and joined the protesters in chanting, “no justice, no peace.”
• Two Kansas City, Missouri, police officers — one white and one black — held a sign which read, “End police brutality.”

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