Hundreds Show Support For Police During Rally In Mayfair
By Justin Udo and Trang Do
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With tensions on the rise between civilians and law enforcement throughout the country, hundreds of people in Northeast Philadelphia gathered for a rally to show their support for police officers.
As Dallas began to bury its fallen officers Wednesday, a huge show of support for police took place in Philadelphia's Mayfair section.
Waving flags and signs and blowing whistles, the crowd lined up on Frankford and Cottman Avenues in the city's Mayfair neighborhood to let police know that during a time where officers' conduct is under so much scrutiny, they are standing with the men and women in blue.
Tempers flared for some, who began arguing with a man carrying a Black Lives Matter sign. Fortunately, the rally ended peacefully.
"I can go anywhere I want to go to," the man said. "We care about police too!"
The man left after shaking hands with a woman at the rally and wishing her peace.
"Cops are an important part of our community, our country," one man said. "We need to protect them as well as everyone else in this country.
"We need to be strong as a community, we need to build stronger bonds with our community," one woman said. "Police officers need to do their job and they need the help from the community to be able to do that."
"I got your back," said Rosalind Pichardo of Philadelphia. "I got your back just like you have mine."
Retired police officer Kevin McNamara was in the crowd.
"Supporting my friends with the 15th police district, but all officers and unfortunately those guys down in Texas," he said. "It's terrible."
Though officers were there to work, they appreciated the positive vibes.
Captain Anthony Luca, with Philadelphia's 15th Police District, says they have a tough job to do, but knowing the people they serve appreciate it makes it all worth while.
"We've been in the negative light as all law enforcement officers across the country," Luca said, "and it's a great feeling that we have the support from our community."
During the rally, supporters showed pictures of fallen officers and cheered for those still on the job.
Several dozen people attended another rally in support of police in Roxborough's 5th District.