Separate rallies in Turlock promote law enforcement, Black Lives Matter
A large rally at a major Turlock intersection Saturday morning advocated support for local law enforcement, while a smaller event down the street promoted the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Back the Badge event took place at Geer Road and Monte Vista Avenue. Demonstrators took up spots on all four corners, waving flags and signs that read, “Police Lives Matter”, “Stand Proud for America, Support Your Police” and “Back the Badge”, among others.
Stephanie Meinecke of Turlock carried a sign that read, “Nurses have your 6”.
“I come from a long line of first responders, and I have deep respect for police,” Meinecke said. “I think they get disrespected and need support.”
Jacob Shockley, the organizer of the rally, earlier told The Bee the rally was intended to uplift officers who honor their oaths to protect people. The event initially was planned as a march, but after consulting with law enforcement, organizers changed it to a stationary rally.
Charlie Alamo attended atop her horse, Buck, holding a black-and-white American flag with a blue line in through it, a common symbol of police support. She said she felt with some recent rallies putting a negative focus on police, she wanted to take part in something showing that people supported good officers.
“I think they’re getting a bum rap from a few bad apples,” Alamo said while Buck sat calmly amid the honking and yelling. Buck is well-versed in loud noises, she said, as a regular participant in parades.
“But all the parades have been canceled (due to the coronavirus pandemic),” Alamo said, “so we decided to come out here.”
Two miles to the west, a smaller group congregated at Monte Vista and Countryside Drive with signs that read, “Black Lives Matter”, “Honk if You’re Not Racist” and “Skin Color is not Reasonable Suspicion”, among others.
The Black Lives Matter movement has become more active nationally in recent weeks following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. Floyd died after a police officer, who has since been fired and charged with murder, knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes in an incident recorded on video.
Elisha Coleman, co-founder of the Turlock Black Lives Matter group, said they set their rally Saturday to take place at the same time as Back the Badge. “We want to show that Turlock is not just a small town of old white Republicans,” Coleman said.
Mackenzie Ussery, who has lived in Turlock most of her life, said she attended the rally to show that “this is my community and there’s a lot of diversity here.”
Ussery said it was important for her group to remain positive. “That’s why we’re out here dancing, smiling and having fun.”
People at both rallies said they had no intention of confronting each other.
“Everybody has the right to freedom of speech and to peacefully assemble,” Meinecke said.
This story was originally published June 27, 2020 at 1:43 PM.
