A pro-police “Back the Blue” rally in front of the Fairbanks Police Department was met by a group of anti-police protesters holding “Fuck the Police” and “Abolish the Police” signs on Saturday.
The pro-police rally, with about three dozen people, and the counter-demonstration of about a dozen, started at about 11 am and lasted until 2 pm. Those supporting the police held signs saying things like “We Love Our Police,” and “Blue Lives Matter.” They had marching band music playing on a loudspeaker.
The anti-policy rally stood facing families with children, and held aloft their various signage while yelling at them. Four police officers were stationed outside the building to keep an eye on things, and some of the anti-police activists approached them, hurling insults and yelling at them.
One Back the Blue sign encouraged people to honk if they support the police, and Must Read Alaska sources said there was a lot of honking and waving at the pro-police side of the street.
Also, in the neighborhood anti-police signs appeared on power poles over the past 48 hours:
A participant in the “Back the Blue” rally said that it was appalling how coarse the anti-police group was, considering children were present.
Rep. Mike Prax crossed the street to try to engage in a civil conversation, to no avail. Several of the anti-police protesters crossed over to the Back the Blue side to try to provoke the police supporters, also to no avail.
