Viral sheriff opens up
Genesee County Sheriff, Christopher Swanson went viral online after he was filmed walking with George Floyd protesters.
In an exclusive interview with E! News, he explained why he decided to join them.
Swanson went viral online after he gave a very inspiring speech to a group of George Floyd protesters.
On behalf of his team, he said, "We want to be with y'all for real."
"So, I took my helmet off. I laid the batons down. I want to make this a parade, not a protest."
As the crowd cheered for him, he added, "These cops love you! That cop over there hugs people."
When Swanson said, "you tell us what you need to do," the group of protesters began to chant, "Walk with us!"
A couple seconds later, he responded, "Let's walk! Let's walk!"
A Michigan sheriff joined protesters on Saturday, putting down his weapon and saying, "I want to make this a parade, not a protest." https://t.co/ZwzeMibesh pic.twitter.com/7ZAnO9xDsG
— CNN (@CNN) June 1, 2020
Why he walked in protest
During an exclusive interview with E! News yesterday, Swanson revealed he's 27 years in the job.
He said, 'I've had tremendous experience in a high-crime area.'
'I've got tons of training but looking back on that video you saw, it was because I love people.'
Swanson admitted, 'I have always loved people. I saw the hearts. I saw the pain.'
'I've been watching it all week and when I saw the first fist bump in the crowd and a hug, I said that's it!'
'We can listen to what they're saying. I'd love to say I planned it. I'd love to say it was scripted but it wasn't.'
Swanson said he decided to take off his helmet and lay down his baton because he knew they're just, 'barriers.'
'We already have enough of that in the world today... We put that aside and we showed off vulnerability.'
He added, 'Not as a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. They want someone to listen to them. That unity together was beautiful.'
George Floyd
Swanson said he felt, 'rage,' and, 'anger,' when he heard of George Floyd's death.
Mr. Floyd died on 25th May after Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for over eight minutes.
He was repeatedly heard by bystanders telling officers he couldn't breathe.
His death sparked protests across America, which soon spread worldwide.
Swanson said he was angry that the officer, 'destroyed years and years of community/ police relations.'
However, the Sheriff is hopeful, 'I believe in my heart that George Floyd changed American policing forever.'
Addressing police officers across America, Swanson said, 'Please... do not give up on your communities.'
'If you've tried 10,000 times to talk to your communities, try one more time. Don't give up even with all the things.'
He added, 'We have to take the first step.'
Swanson pointed out, 'There are 800,000 police officers in the country.'
'Hundreds of thousands working right now who are white, black, straight, gay, male, female, young, old, veteran, rookie.'
'This is a noble field. People would give their life to answer a 911 call so police can't give up on their community and the community can't give up on their police.'
To learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement and how you can support and educate yourself, click here.
