The Police Appreciation Rally
Around midnight on July 4, 2020, the Medford Police responded to multiple calls from the Willis Ave Housing Development. When they arrived they were attacked by a crowd estimated to be about 200 adults. The officers asked for backup and eventually all sector cars arrived on the scene. The mob was shooting Roman Candles and throwing M-80s at the officers. The MPD called the State Police for help. During the next two hours, the police were hit with the above mentioned items. This unreported event was the final straw for the morale of the police force. Two days later, family and friends of the members of the force decided to hold an appreciation rally. It was held on July 15th at the front entrance at city hall.
Videos say more than words so we decided to let them do the speaking. The first video is 50 minutes long and opens with the beginning of the rally. The rally ends at the 22 minute mark. It opens and closes with Medford clergy praying for the police, praying for the city and asking God to bring peace to Medford with patriotic songs comprising the middle.
The second video is Black LIves Matter chanting "F--- the Police" on city hall steps about 45 minutes after the peaceful conclusion of the rally.
The third video is of the verbal incident between the Mobilize Medford leader and a member of a Medford Motorcycle Club which happens 27 minutes after the rally ended. The leader is yelling to the crowd and says "This f---ing flag....".
The member shouts back with " do you speak to your mother with that mouth.....she should slap you.....If you were my kid, I'd would kill you".
The leader shouts out "go ahead slap me...slap me.... I dare you slap me.... officer I want to file a complaint......" This incident can be viewed also in the first video at the 44 minute mark where the man who is filming says "that's nice language".
Sincerely, Patrica Brady Doherty, Kelly Sheehan Catallo, Maury Carroll
