Chanting “No justice, no peace” and carrying Black Lives Matter signs, about 200 people shut down part of North Main Street in Bristol with a mid-day protest Monday against racism and police brutality across the country.
But while speaker after speaker condemned police violence against men and women of color, several offered praise to the uniformed Bristol police who stood guard over the rally, diverted traffic and frequently applauded the protesters.
“The NYPD won’t do what you’re doing — I thank you,” Nicholas Greene yelled toward Chief Brian Gould and several of his officers who stood among the protesters.