Backing the Blue: A couple hundred gather in downtown Fresno to show support for police
About 200 people marched late Thursday afternoon around downtown Fresno in support of law enforcement and as a protest to those wanting to defund police.
Signs like “Blue Lives Matter” and “Blue & All Lives Matter” stood out.
Event organizer Tom Hardin said the rally was about making voices heard.
“I, as (well as) many of the people I know, are tired of sitting around and doing nothing and watching the country fall apart from what we’ve been seeing in the media,” Hardin said. “So I wanted to do something to show my support for police officers across America (and) law enforcement in general.”
Hardin said Thursday’s event wasn’t political (“You see any Black Lives Matter stuff or anything around here? No. We’re here to support the police.”) — but there certainly were some political undertones.
And it was present from the beginning during an opening prayer from pastor Jim Franklin of Cornerstone Church.
“We pray for not only (police) but their families,” Franklin said. “The officer may wear the badge. But it’s the family that’s on the line with him.
“God keep them safe. Keep them in protection, Lord, especially during these troubled times.
“We again thank you for this great country that we live in,” Franklin continued. “Bless our president. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Others were more obvious with their political views
Among the signs: “Defund politicians. Support our police,” and “Vote Maga.”
There was a small contingent of counter protesters. Some said they were there to reiterate their stance and why they believe the current way of law enforcement, at the least, needs reform — if not significant defunding.
Others were calling out those participating in the large gathering but not wearing a mask or practicing social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There was a mix of people wearing masks and those without any face covering.
“I have nothing against law enforcement,” said Patrick Young, who added that his grandfather was a deputy for 13 years. “They do an important job.
“But there’s always some members of the police department that don’t protect people right. Those people need to get a new job. And they shouldn’t be allowed to be policemen anymore.
“Good policemen need to be kept. Bad ones need to be sent home.”
