GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- With plenty of signs and kids in tow, more than fifty people showed up to "back the blue," as they chanted in support of local law enforcement and against defunding the police department.
"It's not about party or what party you believe in," attendee Ann Rotheram said. "It's about defending police and their honor. I feel really bad for police because I feel like they cannot stand tall because people are not thanking them."
Melinda Eck says that she had the idea for this rally in a private Facebook group while she was lamenting negative conversations around law enforcement.
"There's been a lot of negative things going on, especially in regards to our officers," Eck said. "I felt very compelled to let them know that we appreciate them. I think there's far more people that support them and encourage them than the opposite."
"I guess we'd be referred to as the silent majority, but we're saying we need to stop being so silent and let them know how we feel," Eck said.
Eck says her goal was to organize a non-partisan, positive display of support for the Green Bay police officers, though she recognizes that the issue has gotten political lately.
"It's not to be divisive," Eck said. "We just want them to know that we appreciate them. We want a positive message sent to them."
In recent weeks, discussions around the country have focused on financial commitments to police departments. The Minneapolis City Council recently voted unanimously to defund the police department and opt for a more holistic public safety concept. However, supporters at today's rally still believe in the current budgets.
"I've been a victim of systematic racism, but I think defunding the police is not the way to handle it," rally attendee Michael Fisher said. "With all of this that's going on in the world, people are screaming 'defund the police.' Personally, I think police should be some of the highest paid profession."
Green Bay police officers expressed gratitude to supporters at the event and emphasized the need for communities to come together like this display.
"It really just shows that all lives matter, and all people have jobs and all people have different roles and responsibilities," Commander Kevin Warych said. "These people just came out to the police department to say thank you."
"I think this is evidence that we're doing it right here in Green Bay," Chief Andrew Smith said. "So I hope that other agencies across the country can take a look at the partnership that we have that's working here in Green Bay and maybe embrace a little bit of that themselves."
