Ten “Good News” Stories from the George Floyd Protests
Through all the chaos and confusion of the protests, there have also been some bright spots. Here are some of the uplifting stories we’ve seen over the last few days . . .
1. The Tennessee National Guard was set up in front of the state capitol on Monday in full riot gear. But the protesters were peaceful and started calling for them to lay their riot shields down . . . and they did it. (Warning! There’s profanity in the background of the video.)
They’ve started chanting asking the National Guard and state troopers “why are you in riot gear?”
Republican and a couple Dem members remain on the Capitol balcony while several Dem lawmakers are down with the protesters. pic.twitter.com/sIvu2U98he
— Natalie Allison (@natalie_allison) June 2, 2020
2. Police in cities all across the country have been taking a knee to show support for peaceful protesters. Drone footage of 50 cops in North Carolina doing it has been trending online.
As a show of understanding the pain that is in our community and our nation regarding equality, the #FayPD took a knee to show that we also stand for justice for everyone. We are committed to listening and treating everyone with dignity and respect.#LoveONE pic.twitter.com/X5KAQohN6g
— Fayetteville Police (@FayettevillePD) June 2, 2020
3. A former firefighter who opened a sports bar in Minneapolis lost everything to looters. But after his emotional interview went viral, people started donating on GoFundMe. And he now has over a MILLION DOLLARS to help him rebuild.
#MinneapolisRiot This isn’t even protesting anymore. Swear people go too far pic.twitter.com/gNCjWwzOmz
— kreeche (@Kreeches) May 29, 2020
4. People all across the country have been coming out to help their local business owners clean up after their neighborhoods were trashed by looters.
#Graffiti cleaning crew. Everyone just turned up. Many are from other neighborhoods, but see this as their community too. #Minneapolis
Footage provided by @charlottecuthbo pic.twitter.com/g7njCibDyM
— NTD News (@news_ntd) June 2, 2020
5. A group of protesters in Louisville formed a human chain to protect a cop who got separated from his unit. And a group in Brooklyn blocked the doors of a CVS to stop people from looting it. (Warning: The CVS video includes profanity.)
I’d plaster this powerful photo across every front page: Police officer got separated from his unit in Louisville, KY… and several black men formed a human barrier to protect him. #protests2020 #honorgeorgefloyd pic.twitter.com/X1Re8gG3JC
— Steve Dennis (@SteveDennis71) June 1, 2020
6. A group of Mennonites in Minneapolis joined the protests the other day, with signs that said “Standing Against Systems of Oppression” and “Justice for George Floyd.”
Beautiful Mennonite protestors in Minneapolis. Turn your sound on! #Minneapolisprotests #GeorgeFloyd #JusticeForGeorge pic.twitter.com/n8tRFOQ5YS
— Beth Bayley (@beth_lemon) May 30, 2020
7. A six-year-old girl heard about George Floyd . . . made a sign that said “Be Kind” . . . and held her own peaceful protest outside her house.
My 6yr old daughter, she sees whats on the news, we explained what happened to George Floyd and she was mortified. Today she made a sign and is doing her own peaceful protest in our front yard. I am so proud! from r/MadeMeSmile
Oh my God it’s happening in Flint too.
Protesters chanted: “WALK WITH US!!”
So the sheriff and his men joined the protest.#GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/igRsMyD5aD
— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) May 31, 2020
9. A white cop in Shreveport, Louisiana hugged and comforted a black protester who was crying, and someone posted a video on Twitter.
#ShreveportProtest Confederate statue supporters were also at the protest.
After speaking with them, this protester & a SHREVEPORT officer had an emotional connection with everything happening in America.
A moment between two strangers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NWUmnaNAUh
— Jade Jackson (@IAMJADEJACKSON) June 1, 2020
10. Thousands of people in cities all over the world have joined the peaceful protests and have been marching through the streets. Including cities in Mexico, Canada, the U.K., Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, New Zealand, Brazil, and even Syria.
This is incredible. Protests all around the world saying #BlackLivesMatter
— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) June 2, 2020