Dozens rally for ‘blue lives’ at Seminole courthouse in event linked to hate-group supporter
More than 100 people gathered Saturday at the Seminole County courthouse in Sanford to support police officers at a “Back the Blue” rally — an event from which one elected official scheduled to speak dropped out after concerns were raised about an organizer’s connections with a designated hate group.
Participants carried American flags and Blue Lives Matter banners in front of the courthouse, with a lineup of speakers voicing support for law enforcement in the wake of nationwide protests against police brutality.
“Police are on the front lines to protect the concept of law and order,” said Linda Trocine, chairwoman of the Seminole County Republican Executive Committee.
The event was hosted a day after the 19th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, and attendees took a moment to mourn the 412 emergency workers killed that day, including 60 police officers and 343 firefighters.
