Saturday saw more protests by Black Lives Matter members and supporters speaking out against police brutality and systematic racism.
They were joined by a “Back the Blue” rally to support law enforcement after recent criticism took to the streets outside the Tampa Police Department’s District 1 building on W. Tampa Bay Boulevard Saturday morning.
Bay News 9 described the BLM march as “…one of the largest and loudest gatherings of protesters in the Tampa Bay area since the social justice marches began about three weeks ago. Organizers estimate about 5,000 people took to the streets chanting, and carrying signs to raise awareness.”
“It’s a culmination of a love for the city of Tampa that we are allowing people to come out, express themselves and their disdain for police brutality,” said Chaikirah Parker of Black Lives Matter.
#BlackLivesMatter protesters gather in Fred Ball park ahead of another planned march. @BN9 #GeorgeFloyd #protests pic.twitter.com/NeXQpz7cWS
— DaveJordanBN9 (@DaveJordanBN9) June 13, 2020
Citizens in the “Back the Blue” marched with their signs and banners, offering up their chant.
“Yes, there are bad police officers,” said Jack Fernandez of Tampa to BN9. “There’s bad farmers, there’s bad doctors, there’s bad teachers. You can’t just judge all of these officers based on an incident.”
“I will support the people who want to change the racial climate in this country, but I’m also going to support my men and women in blue,” said Tamara Sugar of Tampa.
People are marching down Tampa Bay Avenue chanting #BackTheBlue in support of law enforcement. This comes following several protests last week calling for action against police in support of #BlackLivesMatter. @BN9 pic.twitter.com/sxuKnNE30y
— Ashley Paul (@AshleyPaulTV) June 13, 2020
{HAPPENING NOW} A ‘Back the Blue’ rally is underway outside TPD District One. A counter protest is scheduled to start up across the street in the next half hour. @FOX13News pic.twitter.com/G7EmQ7LeJl
— Elizabeth Fry FOX 13 (@elizabethfrytv) June 13, 2020
Police reported no arrests, even when the two groups faced off in loud chants and yelling.
WARNING: Foul language. Police are now interfering as things get a bit heated between the two protests. @BN9 pic.twitter.com/POCWqG68Ku
— Ashley Paul (@AshleyPaulTV) June 13, 2020
Things are becoming a bit unruly at the #BackTheBlue protest as #BlackLivesMatter protestors march through the crowd. Police are working to separate the two crowds. @BN9 pic.twitter.com/8LM6cmC69m
— Ashley Paul (@AshleyPaulTV) June 13, 2020
Tensions are high outside TPD District One as both groups try to out-shout one another with statements like ‘Black Lives Matter’ & ‘Blue Lives Matter.’ @FOX13News pic.twitter.com/cuSvRA0d6f
— Elizabeth Fry FOX 13 (@elizabethfrytv) June 13, 2020
