38
IN MEMORIAM
NEW JERSEY COPS n JANUARY 2015
Atlantic City rally supports police in midst of public criticism
n BY NEIL VISTA
n PHOTOS BY KEVIN LYONS
Under sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures, a crowd of about 300 police officers and friends of law
enforcement congregated outside of Boardwalk Hall on
Atlantic City’s iconic boardwalk on Dec. 26 to rally and
march and show solidarity for the men and women in blue.
The rally was quiet and peaceful as on-duty Atlantic City
police officers and firefighters mingled with members of the
crowd who came to show their support.
“They’re always there when we need help,” said a woman
proudly holding an American flag and a handmade sign
that read: “Please do not shoot our cops. Thank them for
keeping us safe.” For those who arrived empty-handed,
Atlantic City Local 24 President Paul Barbere distributed
signs to members of the crowd and police officers that read
“We Support Our Local Police.”
The rally and eight-block march down the boardwalk to
the recently unveiled police memorial at St. James Place
came on the heels of the executions of NYPD Officers Rafael
Ramos and Wenjian Liu who were sitting in a patrol vehicle
in Brooklyn last month. The event was in direct response to
anti-police protests that were taking place across the
country in recent months.
Atlantic City Police Chief Henry White took to the stage at
Kennedy Plaza outside Boardwalk Hall and told the crowd
assembled, including many of the officers from his own
department, that it is a tough time for law enforcement
everywhere.
“We all know when the chips are down and society offers
us the worst that there is, it’s the police, EMTs and
firefighters that get out there and deal with it,” White said.
“These men and women put their lives on the line every day,
and it’s good to know that we do have the support of the
community.”
Congressman Frank LoBiondo was also in attendance
and reminded the crowd that the sacrifices the men and
women of law enforcement make each day is rarely recognized.
The rally was organized by local retired physician John
Baker and supported by PBA Local 24 and the Atlantic
County Retired Police and Firemen’s Association. B Z