HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 09-19 Group rallies on 'Thank a Police Officer' day PIONEER PRESS Group rallies on'Thank a Police Officer'Day TwinCities.com
Updaled:09/19Y1015 f0:22:31 PMCDT
Group rallies on Thank a Police Officer'Day
More ihan 50 people marched in St.Paul in suppoR of law enforcement Saturday on national"Thank a Police Officer'Day. �
They gathered at Ihe Peace Officer Memonal on the Capitol grounds and held a candleiighl vigil for officers killed in the line of duty.
"We wanted to thank the officers and also create a positive voice in the community for them,"said Jessica Knutson,president of the nonprofd
gmup Backing Ihe Blue Line."With all the negativity in the wodd lately...we want to discuss the war on police and send the message it needs
to stop."
There has been increased attention around the country and locally on police use-04force against citizens,and some groups are concerned
that it is fueling anti-police sentiment and making officers'jobs more dangerous.
On Saturday,people marched by the Minnesota Capitol,holding Amencan flags and chanting,"Wthout police,ihere is no peace."
"I wanted to show public support,"said Caryn Addante of Mendota Heights,who was holding a handmade"thank you"sign."The profession is
so demonized,but people don't know who officers are on an individual basis.These are our brothers and sisters,and mothers and fathers:'
State Patrol Sgt.Kelly Phillips valued the support from citizens at Saturday's event.She said people have been approaching her lately to say
"thank you"and someone left a note on her squad car about a week ago to say,"We appreciate you."
Alice Duzan came to the march wearing a shid for her brother,Maplewood police Sgt.
Joe Bergeron,who was murdered in the line of duty in 2010.
Duzan of Chaska said she was thinking about how she missed her brother and her concem for her two sons,who are law enforcement officers.
She said she wished people around the country would focus on the idea that"most of police are incredible people who run to trouble and to
help others."