Last week, hundreds gathered in McKinney, Texas, in order to protest police brutality after viewing the viral footage of a cop breaking up a pool party. The protests remained peaceful through the night, with crowds ambling through the neighborhood where the incident occurred and demanding the officer's job, as well as calling for change concerning the excessive use of force.
In the viral footage, Officer Eric Casebolt tosses around a 15-year-old Black teen, grabbing her by the hair and throwing her to the ground. At one point he attempts to further subdue her by shoving both of his knees into her back. Still on top of her, he brandishes his gun at the other teenagers. Officer Casebolt has since apologized for his handling of the situation and was placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. He resigned on Tuesday, June 9th, but no charges have been filed against him at this time.
The footage caused outrage online as well as in the local community. Over 800 protestors joined the March for Justice, which was organized by the activist group Next Generation Action Network. Protestors marched the route from Comstock Elementary School to the pool where Sunday’s scene played out.
The protesters were joined by a small group of police department supporters. This group is known by their slogan, "Back the Blue," and have been active in making appearances at the series of protests against police brutality over the last few months. While all of these events have served to highlight the use of excessive force by the police, specifically against African Americans, these marches have also drawn attention to this outspoken faction.
"Back the Blue" supporters came out in full force last Friday at another McKinney protest opposing police brutality, also organized by the Next Generation Action Network. Many were in support of Officer Casebolt's handling of the incident, with several calling for him to be reinstated in the police force.
The protest organizer referred to the viral video of the event, stating: "You didn't see the whole thing. We don't know if this police officer is guilty. Let the police do their investigation and if he's guilty, then let justice prevail."
Many members of the group are quick to note that they march in solidarity with the police department, not in protest against anyone else. Annie Kobus, the Dallas resident who organized a pro-police march in her city said that "'Back the Blue' is not a protest group. It is an idea which appeals to law abiding citizens of Dallas of all races and all walks of life. It is simply an invitation to recognize the sacrifices of police officers who serve and protect."
Several protesters on both sides came to realize that their ideals were not mutually exclusive. At McKinney's protest on Friday, people from both rallies came together in conversation and prayer.
Lashadion Anthony, protesting on the side of the Next Generation Action Network, discussed with pro-police activists, stating that "they want to make it a black and white thing, it's not a black and white thing. It's a community versus the police that are abusing their power. We're not saying that all police are racists and all police are bad, but there are certain police that are abusing their power."
While some people came to the agreement that both sides did not have to be opposing camps, this was not the overwhelming mentality. Videos from the protests last Friday night show the two crowds coming close to a fight, with the police having to step in and intervene.
Though the "Back the Blue" supporters outwardly state that they are marching in solidarity, the simple fact that they are protesting alongside the "Black Lives Matter" and anti-police brutality groups creates an inevitable juxtaposition between them. The fact that the police supporters often engage in actively protesting against these groups and even escalating the situation to violence indicates that there might be ulterior motives as opposed to a simple march in gratitude of police service.
Overall, the "Back the Blue" protests so far would seem to reflect poorly on the police department by insinuating that supporting their interests is different from supporting those of the black community. Thus, their protests serve to divide rather than encourage productive discussion. By dividing people into those who support the police and those who support a just police department, those ideas begin to seem mutually exclusive. "Back the Blue" protesters imply that the police department is infallible rather than advocating for their support as well as admitting that positive change is needed.
After a peaceful end to McKinney's protests and an apparent opening in the line of dialogue between the two groups, hopefully there can be a shift in perspective so that police supporters and those against the use of excessive force can march alongside each other in unity. Working together is the best way to create positive change in the system, but only if they realize that their interests can go hand in hand.
