'Back The Blue' Pro-Police Rally Planned In Tewksbury

TEWKSBURY, MA — A pro-police "Back The Blue" rally is planned in Tewskbury, this Sunday, in reaction to the Black Lives Matter protests that have spread across the country over the last month.

The Back the Blue demonstration comes nearly a month after a Black Lives Matter rally drew over 60 in Tewksbury, as reported by the Town-Crier.

As of Thursday evening, 46 people have said on Facebook that they plan to attend the demonstration; 252 say they're interested. The demonstration is set to take place 1 p.m. Sunday at Town Hall.

"As you all know, violent protests have been raging across America," organizer Josh Melansen wrote. "In all of these, there seems to be an unfair generalization of all police officers, portraying them all as hateful and brutal.

"This Sunday I wanted to show our local LEOs, Fire, EMTs and all first responders that people still support them in their efforts to keep all of us safe. This will be entirely peaceful. Come down and show your support for first responders!"

New Tewksbury Police Chief Ryan Columbus, who was appointed last week, said in an interview Wednesday that the department has "tremendous community support" and he hasn't received any criticisms from the department.

At the Tewksbury Black Lives Matter rally, organizer Anne Seichter told the Town-Crier, “This is not an anti-police or anti-white movement. This is only saying that we want black Americans to feel safe in this country.”

Melansen encouraged attendees to wear masks and social distance.

Tewksbury's rally is not the first of its kind: a "Back the Blue" rally in Tampa, Fla. brought out thousands, earlier in June.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.