They saved me': How protesters protected a lone cop, a moment captured in powerful photos

[esquared]

There needs to be these stories too.

'They saved me': How protesters protected a lone cop, a moment captured in powerful photos

Five strangers formed a human shield to protect a Louisville metro police officer from angry protesters. Here's the story behind the powerful photos.

www.yahoo.com

And from the interview of one of the 5 protesters/protectors, this shouldn't be an extraordinary event.

"As proud as De La Cruz is of that night, he shakes his head and says that this shouldn’t be an extraordinary event.
“This should be the norm,” he said. De La Cruz also feels that media images of violence, vandalism and looting misrepresent Louisville and the protest.
“What happened that night with us linking arms was just one of many heroic acts that night," he said.
He hopes that those are the moments that define Louisville.
"That is Louisville," De La Cruz said. "Louisville showed up that night."
Lee agreed.
“Nobody knew anybody but we just stood up and did that,” he said. “If the officer was black we would’ve done the same thing. He’s somebody else’s son. He’s somebody else’s loved one."
"

 

[Starbuck1975]

There needs to be these stories too.

'They saved me': How protesters protected a lone cop, a moment captured in powerful photos

Five strangers formed a human shield to protect a Louisville metro police officer from angry protesters. Here's the story behind the powerful photos.

www.yahoo.com

And from the interview of one of the 5 protesters/protectors, this shouldn't be an extraordinary event.

"As proud as De La Cruz is of that night, he shakes his head and says that this shouldn’t be an extraordinary event.
“This should be the norm,” he said. De La Cruz also feels that media images of violence, vandalism and looting misrepresent Louisville and the protest.
“What happened that night with us linking arms was just one of many heroic acts that night," he said.
He hopes that those are the moments that define Louisville.
"That is Louisville," De La Cruz said. "Louisville showed up that night."
Lee agreed.
“Nobody knew anybody but we just stood up and did that,” he said. “If the officer was black we would’ve done the same thing. He’s somebody else’s son. He’s somebody else’s loved one."
"

The media and protest movement should be making sure stories like this dominate the headlines, along with the stories of officers walking with and taking a knee with the protestors.

 

[nickqt]

The media and protest movement should be making sure stories like this dominate the headlines, along with the stories of officers walking with and taking a knee with the protestors.

The footage of the Police Rioting should rightfully dominate what's on the headlines, because until everyone sees how pervasive it is, it won't stop.

 

[TheVrolok]

The media and protest movement should be making sure stories like this dominate the headlines, along with the stories of officers walking with and taking a knee with the protestors.

These stories are excellent, and absolutely important, but should not dominate the headlines. You're missing the point, as usual.

 

[Starbuck1975]

The footage of the Police Rioting should rightfully dominate what's on the headlines, because until everyone sees how pervasive it is, it won't stop.

Police aren’t rioting. Last Sunday night, the peaceful protesting of the day turned into rioting and looting, and a few mayors and governors had to introduce heavy handed tactics to prevent the situation from escalating into anarchy, with protestors now choosing to defy curfews in place for their safety, with a few incidents like the one in Buffalo with the older gentleman where the officers involved should be prosecuted.

 

[Starbuck1975]

These stories are excellent, and absolutely important, but should not dominate the headlines. You're missing the point, as usual.

No, I’m not. The individuals who chose to riot and loot to the extent that it required a more heavy handed response are missing the point. The same as police should stand with the protestors during the day, I would also expect to see community leaders, activists and politicians stand with the police at night to support curfews and protect communities from destruction.

 

[TheVrolok]

No, I’m not. The individuals who chose to riot and loot to the extent that it required a more heavy handed response are missing the point. The same as police should stand with the protestors during the day, I would also expect to see community leaders, activists and politicians stand with the police at night to support curfews and protect communities from destruction.

*woosh*

 

[Starbuck1975]

*woosh*

yawn

 

[WelshBloke]

... along with the stories of officers walking with and taking a knee with the protestors.

Just make sure they aren't taking a knee just to put their gas masks on or decide to crack a 70 year old guys head open a few hours after doing it.

 

[cytg111]

I would also expect to see community leaders, activists and politicians stand with the police at night to support curfews and protect communities from destruction.

That is the fucking point is it not? It is not something that grows out of thin air. That is something that happens if it is taught. If it is police with the people not police vs. the people.
Its a fucking long reach to expect people to suddenly stand with the same police that has a boot on your throat.
Its like you dont know people at all.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Just make sure they aren't taking a knee just to put their gas masks on or decide to crack a 70 year old guys head open a few hours after doing it.

Those incidents should be investigated and prosecuted, but the police didn’t go into riot mode until some started rioting and created a public safety hazard.

 

[Starbuck1975]

That is the fucking point is it not? It is not something that grows out of thin air. That is something that happens if it is taught. If it is police with the people not police vs. the people.
Its a fucking long reach to expect people to suddenly stand with the same police that has a boot on your throat.
Its like you dont know people at all.

We need reform to hold police accountable and provide transparency, because they serve the public, but the police also need to respond decisively and forcefully when people decide to create public safety hazards.

 

[TheVrolok]

Those incidents should be investigated and prosecuted, but the police didn’t go into riot mode until some started rioting and created a public safety hazard.

Another *woosh*

It's hilarious.

 

[WelshBloke]

Those incidents should be investigated and prosecuted, but the police didn’t go into riot mode until some started rioting and created a public safety hazard.

Theres plenty of videos of them (the police) brutalising peaceful protesters.

 

[WelshBloke]

Another *woosh*

It's hilarious.

Do you think that he's genuinely unaware of the police behaviour or deliberately playing stupid?

 

[TheVrolok]

Do you think that he's genuinely unaware of the police behaviour or deliberately playing stupid?

Probably a little of both. I think he's just a contrarian by nature, he has this need to feel like he has to argue because he alone knows the truth and everyone else is wrong. It's some bizarre defense of ego thing maybe? The more he argues the more he feels correct?

 

[Starbuck1975]

Theres plenty of videos of them (the police) brutalising peaceful protesters.

Those should be prosecuted. There are also plenty of videos of people looting, rioting, throwing projectiles at police and engaging in criminal behavior. Those should be prosecuted as well.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Another *woosh*

It's hilarious.

yawn

 

[WelshBloke]

Probably a little of both. I think he's just a contrarian by nature, he has this need to feel like he has to argue because he alone knows the truth and everyone else is wrong. It's some bizarre defense of ego thing maybe? The more he argues the more he feels correct?

I mean theres pictures where the police shoot a disabled guy in a wheelchair in the face! Theres no one between the guy and the police and the guy cant get out of the way because his wheelchair won't go over the curb. How that guy is a danger that caused the police to go into "riot mode" I'll be interested in hearing him explaining!

 

[WelshBloke]

Those should be prosecuted. There are also plenty of videos of people looting, rioting, throwing projectiles at police and engaging in criminal behavior. Those should be prosecuted as well.

Did you know that the police are charging protesters with assault with a deadly weapon for throwing back the tear gas canisters that they fired into the crowds?
I'm feeling like one side is being charged with a lot more stuff that the other side

 

[Starbuck1975]

Did you know that the police are charging protesters with assault with a deadly weapon for throwing back the tear gas canisters that they fired into the crowds?
I'm feeling like one side is being charged with a lot more stuff that the other side

Yes. Did you know that rioters started looting and burning buildings, which forced mayors and governors to escalate the police response?

 

[Starbuck1975]

I mean theres pictures where the police shoot a disabled guy in a wheelchair in the face! Theres no one between the guy and the police and the guy cant get out of the way because his wheelchair won't go over the curb. How that guy is a danger that caused the police to go into "riot mode" I'll be interested in hearing him explaining!

There’s nothing to explain. When police respond disproportionally to the threat presented, they should face charges. I hope the guy in the wheelchair directs his frustration towards the rioters and looters that forced the police to escalate their response.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Probably a little of both. I think he's just a contrarian by nature, he has this need to feel like he has to argue because he alone knows the truth and everyone else is wrong. It's some bizarre defense of ego thing maybe? The more he argues the more he feels correct?

As the story in the OP illustrates, there are protestors who recognize that not all police are the enemy, and it is encouraging that a few were brave enough to protect one from the riotards.

 

[UberNeuman]

Lol. DSF-like typing detected.

 

[compcons]

There’s nothing to explain. When police respond disproportionally to the threat presented, they should face charges. I hope the guy in the wheelchair directs his frustration towards the rioters and looters that forced the police to escalate their response.

It's not that there aren't people rioting, it's that police walking around and violently assaulting peaceful protesters are not just isolated incidents that need to be evaluated and prosecuted. It's a widespread issue. Spend 30 minutes and watch some of the videos of police doing atrocious things to those just peacefully protesting. That MIGHT help you understand that unchecked aggression by police is a real issue.

And to quibble back at you, those rioters should face legal action, not beatings by police. The police should just take the rioters into custody and put them in jail.

See what I did there? In case you missed it, I diminished your defense of what the police are doing with your argument that the rioters should just face the due process of justice.

Pretty nifty how your bullshit defenses can bothsides it too.