George Floyd: Protesters and police ‘fist-bump’ in solidarity
After a week of escalating tensions, protesters and police have started to ‘fist-bump’ as a sign of peace and friendship in demonstrations across America.
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The fist-bump has become a sign of peace, with protesters and law enforcement making the gesture of friendship in an effort to ease tensions during demonstrations over the death of unarmed black man George Floyd.
In Atlanta, Police Officer J. Coleman, left, and protester Elijah Raffington led a line of demonstrators and police in a sign of solidarity outside of the CNN centre.
The Utah National Guard soldier made a similar gesture while stationed in Washington DC, near the White House. Earlier this week, law enforcement used force to clear peaceful protesters from a street near the White House on Monday to allow President Donald Trump to pose for photographs at a nearby damaged church.
These positive scenes come after several nights of escalating unrest.
Thousands of demonstrators massed near the White House lit up their mobile phone flashlights and sang along to the 1970s soul tune “Lean on Me,” before resuming a chorus of anti-police chants.
In a further display of self-policing seen in Washington and elsewhere this week, protesters urged some of their more provocative cohorts to stop taunting police and leave.
The positive scenes also spread overseas, with demonstrators outside the US Embassy in London engaging in peaceful greetings with police.
This comes after scenes earlier in the week where New York’s police chief took “a knee” with protesters.
NYPD chief Terence Monahan was handed a microphone to address the crowd at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village on Monday night when the demonstration started to get heated, with demonstrators hurling objects at police.
In a bid to heal the divide, Monahan delivered a stirring speech that ended with him holding hands with two protesters and kneeling on the ground.
“Everyone, this has got to end,” Monahan said.
“We all know Minnesota was wrong. They were arrested, which they should be. There is not a police officer over here that thinks Minnesota was justified.
“But this is our city, our city, do not let people not from this city have you come here and screw-up your city. We cannot be fighting. We have to live here. This is our home.”
Powerful images from the scene show Monahan hugging protesters after his emotional speech.
It comes as police officers across joining demonstrators in solidarity by “taking a knee”, a movement kickstarted by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick famously chose to kneel instead of stand for the US national anthem in protest against police brutality.
Powerful images and videos from the George Floyd protests show how some police officers are attempting to the bridge the gap in a time of chaos, violence and unrest.
THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON D.C.
As protests raged next to the White House over the death of unarmed African-American man George Floyd, one policeman took the knee as a sign of respect to demonstrators and solidarity with the Black Lives Matters movement.
QUEENS, NEW YORK
In the midst of violent protests and destruction in New York, several police officers showed their alliance with protesters to the surprise of onlookers.
Aleeia Abraham shot a video of the officers taking a knee during a march in Queens.
As they knelt, one protester reeled off the names of other black people who had died, including Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery.
“I definitely didn’t expect that,” Abraham said. “I’ve never seen that.”
“I appreciate you. Thank you for kneeling.â€
— Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) June 1, 2020
Members of the NYPD took the knee during protests against #GeorgeFloyd's death, kneeling alongside demonstrators in New York #protests2020 pic.twitter.com/77NalyYZ8g
FLINT, MICHIGAN
In incredible scenes, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson put his helmet and baton down to join protesters in one of the most racially divided cities in the US. Swanson poses for selfies and high-fived protesters as he stated: “I want to make this a parade, not a protest.”
The cheering crowd chanted: “Walk with us!”
“Let’s go, let’s walk,” Swanson said as he and the cheering crowd proceeded. “Where do you want to walk? We’ll walk all night.”
Genesee County Sheriff (Flint, Michigan) Chris Swanson put down his helmet and baton and asked protesters how he could help.
— Rex ChapmanðŸ‡ðŸ¼ (@RexChapman) May 31, 2020
The protesters chanted "walk with us" so the Sheriff joined — and walked alongside the protesters in solidarity.
Leadership.🌎â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/Vs3941C2o8
Flint has drawn national attention for its water crisis and accusations against officials of “systemic racism”. The city’s water supply was switched off to save money in 2014, exposing residents to dangerously high levels of lead and resulting in more than a dozen lawsuits.
Just outside of Flint - police joined protesters rather than meet them with aggression. I’m told when protesters reached the station, they took a knee, the Sheriff came out and said “We’re mad too. What can we do?†The crowd said “Join us.†They did. #protests2020 #SundayMorning pic.twitter.com/EfhDbkiCAf
— Femi Redwood (@femiredwood) May 31, 2020
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
The Santa Cruz Police Department shared photos on social media showing Santa Cruz Mayor Justin Cummings and Santa Cruz Chief of Police Andy Mills kneeling together during the protests.
CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
Police officers in New Jersey joined protesters for a march under the banner “standing in solidarity”, drawing praise on social media.
Camden Police Chief Joseph Wysocki helped lead the way, while a police captain led a Camden Strong chant at one point.
In New Jersey the police officers are protesting WITH the people shouting no justice no peace. This is how it should be, every police station should be walking with their community there is no excuse! pic.twitter.com/8pwkCOA2fP
— Ù‹ (@AMPZ222) May 30, 2020
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
In a sign of respect and understanding, police officers dropped to the ground and shook the hands of protesters gathered outside the Spokane County Courthouse in Washington.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
A Black Lives Matter demonstrator talks with police officers in Kansas City, Missouri, before shaking hands with one.
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON
Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett held a question-and-answer session with Black Lives Matters protesters. He took the knee and later hugged protesters during the emotional gathering.
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