Manchester police rally sparks loud, but peaceful counterprotest

A “Back the Blue” rally supporting Manchester police Saturday drew a Black Lives Matter counterprotest that ramped up with verbal intensity as both sides walked to the steps of the police department, remaining peaceful but punctuated by chanting, the pounding of cowbells and the waving of American flags.

“No Justice, No Peace, No Justice, No Peace” from the protesters was countered by “Blue Lives Matter” and “Back the Blue” from those rallying for the police. The sides lined up across East Middle Turnpike from each other near Manchester High School where the walk to the police department stepped off.

The counterprotest was organized by Power Up Manchester after students at the high school sought help in organizing a response to the rally.

“We wanted to make sure we elevated the voices of black and brown students,” Keren Prescott, PowerUp Manchester’s founder and co-president, said. “We wanted to make sure that they felt secure and confident that their community was going to support them.”

Nearly 100 turned out in support of the counterprotest, while slightly more than 100 for those rallying in support of the police.

Tensions have been running high in Manchester, mirroring those across the state and nation, after George Floyd’s death on May 25. Floyd died after a white Minneapolis police officer pinned Floyd’s neck to the ground with his knee. A cell phone video went viral of the incident sparking protests around the world.

In Manchester, some residents were already upset and seeking answers after the April 2 police-involved fatal shooting of Jose Soto, who sources have said was not armed.

Soto’s name was invoked by the protesters, as was Floyd’s and others that now have gained national recognition: Breonna Taylor and Eric Garner.