I am witnessing something great at the Justice for George Floyd demonstration, in Flint Township

[Siwsan]

There is a line of police and sheriff department law enforcement officers standing face to face with the demonstrators - TALKING. SHAKING HANDS. Even a few hugs are happening. Their batons and helmets by their feet. The Sheriff assured the demonstrators that they are with them in their anger. Things had started to get riled up and the Sheriff diffused the situation by approaching and talking with the crowd.

Holy Cow - and right now the Sheriff is walking WITH the demonstrators. The demonstration is loud, big and peaceful.

This makes me so proud of both our citizens and our police force. Hopefully things will stay this calm.

[Nevilledog]

1. Are you there?

[Siwsan]

8. I'm coming off of a killer migraine so, unfortunately, no.

Had I known, earlier, and not felt so awful I could have walked to the entrance of the subdivision and joined or cheered them on. Now that I can move my head without searing pain, it's come to an end.

It looks like it was a really big turn out.

[Nevilledog]

10. Thanks for letting us know what's happening there.

As a chronic migraine sufferer for 25 years, I understand.

(Have you tried Aimovig? Changed my life. From daily migraines to less than five a month)

[Siwsan]

12. I'll write that down

Thanks!

[Sogo]

2. Is this Michigan? nt

[Siwsan]

3. Yes

[magicarpet]

13. So nice to hear,... what a wonderful community effort to defuse anger and recognize common ground.

[elleng]

4. Wonderful! Name the head of police and sheriff, please, so we can applaud them widely,

and encourage others to emulate them; we NEED such, nationwide.

[Siwsan]

11. I'll post more details as soon as the news updates

One station was live streaming so it was kind of hard to hear the names. I'll tell you what - the Sheriff, and other law enforcement offers, were brilliant.

[Siwsan]

17. I got the name: Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson

He's still mingling with the demonstrators. I'm hoping they post the video on the news site so I can share it.

[elleng]

20. Thanks.

Seeing such gives me at least hope, and also seeing dynamic, forceful mayors, women in particular.

[calimary]

31. Man, do we ever!

My son just said "with all that's going on, I'm just waiting for the announcement of an invasion from outer space."

Feels as though that's about the only crisis that HASN'T happened by now. I actually turned to my husband and confessed that I'm actually wondering if we're in the End Times. Seriously.

[rwheeler31]

5. Get that on the news

[sheshe2]

6. Beautiful.

Do you have any links or photos Siwsan? I would love to see this!

[Siwsan]

9. It's still winding down but will post anything I can find

The live feed just ended. One of the local news stations was right there, covering it live so I'll be able to get more info from their site, once they update.

[sheshe2]

14. Thank you.

Nice to hear some good news.

[MustLoveBeagles]

7. That's wonderful

[LisaM]

15. Good.

I read something yesterday where a person claimed that they were warned about trouble in Flint and it sounded as if it was a warning from an agitator. I was hoping Flint would rise to the challenge.

[Siwsan]

16. Flint shines, today

They demonstrators are actually STILL gathered WITH the law enforcement officers. Quite a sight!!

[LisaM]

19. This makes me happy.

Good on them.

[roamer65]

18. That's how to police.

Good news and god bless them all.

Rumors were flying around in MI about it and I am glad they were wrong.

[yellowdogintexas]

21. Flint has been through enough - it is good to see their Law Enforcement

standing up for the citizens.

[Mr.Bill]

22. Please keep us posted on this

because the sad part is the networks probably won't show it on TV.

[Siwsan]

23. Here's my updated post

I hope this gets picked up by the nation news.


https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213511507

[ybbor]

24. Ex Flintoid here

Here is a local news link:

[link:https://nbc25news.com/news/local/justice-for-george-floyd-protest-in-flint-twp|

Really good to see, but disappointed with all the folks not wearing masks. Michigan has seen a slight uptick in cases the past couple of days.

[Siwsan]

27. They are now testing anyone who requests a test, so I anticipate cases will rise

Even asymptomatic people can get tested. That's the most critical group to identify, IMHO.

[ybbor]

29. Yes that is true

They have also been testing the prison population so that has led to increases.

I still wish more people were wearing masks.

[Siwsan]

30. Absolutely.

I did notice quite a few marchers were wearing masks. When the march started, there weren't a whole lot of people so social distancing was easy. THEN the crowd started to build.

[ybbor]

32. All in all still a great story

So glad to have good news coming out of Flint. My mom and siblings still in Genesee county. A few still in the city proper.

I’m in Ann Arbor, and we had a pretty large protest here after the Ypsi police abuse situation this week.

I just hope this leads to some real progress, but I’m not holding my breath. The racism inherent in our police forces will take purging to solve, in my opinion.

[bullwinkle428]

25. Cedar Rapids, Iowa - it was clear there was coordination between the protest leaders

and the police, as police were handling the re-routing of traffic, and making sure everyone was staying safe. I got to witness live as a cyclist, passing through the area as it was taking place.

It's clear that some cities' forces actually want to maintain good relations with the community.

[Skittles]

26. this makes more sense than ARSON

good job

[GulfCoast66]

28. That is a leader. For all I know he might be a total asshole.

But he showed compassion and leadership. It looked to me like not all of his men were on board. But once he set the tone things proceeded the way they should in America.

What an example.

I expect to hear more from that man in the future.

He met fate and grabbed it by the horns.

I suspect because he already had good relationships with his community. But what do I know in Central Florida.

[Rhiannon12866]

33. Here's a news report - with pix and videos!

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson joins protesters marching for George Floyd

FLINT TWP, Mich - What started out as a small protest grew to a large protest with people marching down Miller Road in Flint Township.

The protesters were marching to bring attention to the death of George Floyd and what they say is injustice.

When protesters arrived at the Flint Twp. police station they were met by police in riot gear.

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson talked with the protesters and ended up joining them in the march.

Swanson walked with protesters talking to them about the George Floyd situation and how law enforcement and the community can better work together.

While the Sheriff and the protesters were marching down the street many other American cities were on fire from riots.

Swanson gave a speech to everyone at the end of the evening:

Includes videos and photos: https://nbc25news.com/news/local/justice-for-george-floyd-protest-in-flint-twp

[Qutzupalotl]

34. Here's a clip. It's good.

Link to tweet