Friday, January 9 has been named as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, or LEAD. However, those who’ve been expressing their displeasure with the way police departments have handled certain cases lately aren’t taking a break from that expression. Instead, they’ve hijacked the hashtag #LEAD that was started for the pro-police campaign, and are using it to share their feelings — as well as numerous links to stories about cases where law enforcement is argued to have gotten it wrong.
The hashtag was intended to promote posts like these.
It’s #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay . Thank you all who have supported us. See a cop today, say hello. #LEAD . pic.twitter.com/zlkKPrIaSM
— Bill Partridge (@ChiefBPartridge) January 9, 2015
Each day, some 900,000 police officers put a badge on and go to work knowing they may face extremely dangerous situations. #LEAD
— Joseph LaRocca (@laroccaj) January 9, 2015
Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for your dedication. Thank you. #LEAD #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/Ky6pHwBbvV
— Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) January 9, 2015
However, a scan through the hashtag’s timeline on Twitter doesn’t show much law enforcement appreciation. Instead, it’s filled with images and videos like these.
#LEAD #LEAD2015 Police Brutality Caught on Tape Philadelphia July 2009 https://t.co/KWdHZJCCxT
— Citizen B (@Citizen__B) January 9, 2015
Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Tweet your pics of Police brutality with #LEAD & #LEAD2015 pic.twitter.com/ds0spzjP6J
— Anon Cop Watch (@AnonCopWatch) January 9, 2015
Thanks, cops, for keeping us safe from kids with toy guns. #LEAD http://t.co/4N8MkQFG3e
— Jeff Fecke (@jkfecke) January 9, 2015
Oh that’s Seattle after the super bowl? There was no police force used? Weird. pic.twitter.com/T0q5D3DxdV #LEAD
— Chris (@AnonMastaOfMp3s) January 9, 2015
Pepper spraying protesters exercising their rights & supporting causes you dont like has become common place #LEAD pic.twitter.com/Cublb8nssg
— Chris (@AnonMastaOfMp3s) January 9, 2015
The hashtag is being attached to posts of studies and stories describing officer-involved shootings — especially certain recent high-profile ones.
Police in the US Kill at Over 70 Times the Rate of Other First-World Nations More: http://t.co/oOvUg9OXzu #LEAD pic.twitter.com/5E5HHnInAx
— Cassandra (@CassandraRules) January 9, 2015
Cleveland fiscal manager resigns, ‘no longer proud’ to work for city after Tamir Rice shooting http://t.co/8gO5gb1na6 #lead #LEAD2015
— Chris (@AnonMastaOfMp3s) January 9, 2015
New Jersey Police Captain Snaps, Attacks City Councilman in Her Car http://t.co/CDwAZU2nxL #LEAD #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay
— Police the Police (@PolicePoliceACP) January 9, 2015
Many of the posts are simply text statements to express opinions opposed to appreciation for law enforcement.
I wish someone would #LEAD cops to a new way of thinking where they don’t shoot #LEAD at innocent black people
— Long Beach (@Bruce_Smith562) January 9, 2015
For National Law Enforcement Day, I will show officers the same respect and appreciation that the #NYPD shows civilian leadership. #LEAD
— Jeff Fecke (@jkfecke) January 9, 2015
#lead Killer cops should get long sentences just like cop killers do. #JusticeForAll
— Thelonious08 (@Thelonious08) January 9, 2015
If Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was intended as a Public Relations move to counteract the current widespread sentiment about police, it looks like the public isn’t getting distracted.
[photo credit: ZORIN DENU via photopin ]
