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Date: 8/12/2020
WILBRAHAM/HAMPDEN – Roughly 150 people turned out along Main Street at Crane Park in Wilbraham on Aug. 6 for a “Back the Blue” rally supporting law enforcement before moving on to stand out in Hampden. Police vehicles were on display and several officers attended, including Wilbraham Police Chief Robert Zollo and Hampden Chief Jeff Farnsworth. A table was set up at the rear of Crane Park selling hats, flags, and t–shirts supporting not only police, but also President Donald Trump.
Organizers Tara Kozub of Adopt–a–Cop Hampden/Wilbraham and Richard Howell handed out signs to use at the rally that read, “Support Our Police, Back the Blue,” “We Support and Pray for Wilbraham and Hampden Police” and “Thank You Hampden and Wilbraham Police.”
The rally began at 5 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Pastor Steve Cooley of the United Church in Springfield. Howell then instructed some demonstrators to stand on either corner of Springfield Street, across from the park, to achieve “full coverage.”
Rachel Shlosser attended the rally with her mother, who chose not to give her name, but said that they came out to show their support for the police department.
“I hope that people will understand that police are there to help and that they put their lives on the line every day for people they don’t know,” she said. She disagrees with those that say there needs to be police reform. “The police enforce the law, not make the law.”
Pat Gordon, a Wilbraham resident for 36 years, praised the Wilbraham Police Department. She said he came out to raise “awareness that we are not alone in supporting the police. With all the negativity on the TV, we are not alone. The men and women on the police force are our friends. They’re good people.”
A contingent of politicians attended the rally, including state Rep. Angelo Puppolo, whose district covers Wilbraham.
“It’s good to see the crowd came out to support the police. We need more of this,” said Puppolo. He said the number of people who came out “really solidifies the fact that people support police.”
State Rep. Brian Ashe also attended the rally. He addressed the tensions between those who support the police and those who would like to see police reform.
“There’s no simple answer,” Ashe said. Regarding police reform legislation passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Ashe said he believed, “it was rushed because of the political climate.” He said there wasn’t a thorough examination of what problems are systemic in Massachusetts. “I would stand behind honest and thorough legislation,” Ashe said.
The rally also drew candidates for election. Prince Golphin, a Republican running for state Rep. Bud Williams’s 11th Hampden District seat. Republican candidate James Harrington also attended. He is running to represent the 7th Hampden District, which covers Ludlow and portions of Springfield, Chicopee and Belchertown.
After 45 minutes, the crowd packed up and traveled to the mini–mall on the corner of Allen and East Longmeadow Streets in Hampden. The demonstrators took up positions on both sides of Allen Street by the plaza’s entrance.
Ashe told those who had gathered that people can support the police and be in favor of police reform. His statement was received by a mostly silent audience.
Anthony and Laurie Bonavita, of Westfield, have many family members and friends in law enforcement, including Farnsworth. Laurie said that they were in favor of police reform, “we just hope that our legislators take into account what our police chiefs are trying to put in,” to the reform process. “We’re not looking for reform that is reactive.”
Anthony said his father was a police officer in Springfield for 22 years. “Back then it was quiet. If there was a shooting, it was national news. It wasn’t like it is today,” he said.
“We’re getting attacked from all over the place right now,” Farnsworth, who is the president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, told one of the demonstrators. “Recruitment’s going to go way down.”
But he told Reminder Publishing that the demonstrators’ support was “wonderful. We hear a lot about people that don’t like what’s going on. It’s nice to hear from people who do appreciate what we do.”