The US sheriff who put down his baton and joined the protesters marching for George Floyd

Police officers have been joining the protests around the US, marching and kneeling in solidarity with the demonstrators as they continue to speak out against police brutality.

Michigan's Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson marched with protesters as they spoke out against the death of George Floyd.

Michigan's Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson marched with protesters as they spoke out against the death of George Floyd. Source: Twitter 'rightfromjumps1'

A Michigan sheriff policing a protest following the death of 46-year-old black man George Floyd put his baton down on Sunday afternoon and joined the marching demonstrators.

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson was met with cheers when he told the group of protesters he wanted to join them in their march.
"We want to be with you all for real, so I took my helmet down and lay the batons down - I want to make this a parade, not a protest," Mr Swanson said.

"I'm just telling you - these cops love you.... so you just tell us what you need to do." 

The crowd responded with chants of "walk with us", which Mr Swanson did, responding "we'll walk all night".
Meanwhile, New Jersey police from Camden County also joined the protesters, marching in their ranks with banners reading "standing in solidarity". 

The local business owner who organised the protest said it was "really moving" to have the officers stand with them as they marched against police brutality.

"They were like, 'This is your march, we're marching behind you, you lead the way,' and that's what we did," salon owner Yolanda Deaver told ABC America.
In California, officers from the Santa Cruz Police Department took a knee alongside hundreds of protesters lining a downtown street.

Their chief Andy Mills was among them, with Santa Cruz Mayor Justin Cummings also joining in the crowd.
Officers were also photographed taking a knee in honour of George Floyd in New York and Florida.
New York Police Department officers in Queens take a knee in solidarity with demonstrators protesting police brutality.
New York Police Department officers in Queens take a knee in solidarity with demonstrators protesting police brutality. Source: Twitter '_estherlauren'


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By Claudia Farhart


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The US sheriff who put down his baton and joined the protesters marching for George Floyd | SBS News