En Camden, la policía y los manifestantes toman el mismo sendero después de la muerte de George Floyd
"No trataron de utilizar su autoridad para controlar a las multitudes", dijo Yolanda Deaver, de 36 años, la organizadora de la marcha sobre la policía de Camden. "Hicieron que fuera sobre la gente, sobre cómo nos sentimos. Nos apoyaron".
El jefe de la policía metropolitana del condado de Camden, Joe Wysocki, levanta un puño mientras marcha con residentes y activistas en Nueva Jersey, el sábado 30 de mayo de 2020, para protestar por la muerte de George Floyd en Minneapolis.Read moreApril Saul / AP
by Pranshu Verma and Traducido del inglés por Jesenia De Moya Correa
Published
Filadelfia ardió en llamas, y la policía tomó medidas represivas contra los residentes que protestaron el sábado contra el abuso policial y la muerte de George Floyd, mientras que Camden decidió tomar un camino diferente.
Allí, los oficiales de la ciudad entrelazaron sus brazos con los de activistas, miembros del clérigo y otros manifestantes. Los oficiales, incluido el jefe de policía Joe Wysocki, se unieron al llamado de justicia para Floyd, el hombre afroamericano de Minnesota quien murió el 25 de marzo, después que Derek Chauvin, un oficial de policía de Minneapolis, se arrodillara sobre su cuello mientras jadeaba por aire.
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“Estaba buscando paz”, dijo Wysocki. “Quería que hubiera unidad. Los manifestantes debían tener cómo expresar sus pensamientos, tenían que poder desahogarse”.
El sábado se vio una nación sumida en la tensión, ya que ciudades como Filadelfia, Los Ángeles y Atlanta vieron cómo las protestas contra los abusos policiales aumentaron y se convirtieron en saqueos y violencia generalizada. Pero los organizadores de la marcha de Camden notaron que la relación que tenían con la fuerza policial de la ciudad llevó a un día de protesta mucho más pacífico.
“No trataron de utilizar su autoridad para controlar a las multitudes”, dijo Yolanda Deaver, 36, la organizadora de la marcha. “Hicieron esto sobre la gente, sobre cómo nos sentimos. Nos apoyaron”.
Cientos asistieron a la marcha de Camden, que se extendía desde la avenida Mount Ephraim hasta el edificio de la administración policial de la ciudad.
Los miembros del clero pidieron unidad, mientras que los activistas pidieron que dejaran de lado sus diferencias y trabajaran juntos para reformar el sistema de justicia penal. Más de 30 oficiales se unieron a los manifestantes y gritaron consignas como: “Sin justicia, no hay paz. No al policía racista”.
Después que terminó la marcha, las fuerzas del orden público aprovecharon el tono positivo del día y continuaron interactuando con los residentes de la comunidad durante la noche.
“Tuvimos barbacoas improvisadas. Cocinamos hamburguesas, cocinamos perros calientes y repartimos helado”, dijo Wysocki. “Intentábamos conectarnos con los residentes de manera positiva”.
Según Wysocki, conectarse con los residentes y estar de pie con la comunidad mientras expresaban sus quejas hacia la policía es una parte fundamental de la estrategia de “vigilancia comunitaria” del Departamento de Policía de Camden.
“Hay que construir la confianza”, dijo. “La generación más joven está molesta, y con razón. (...) No puedes arreglar eso de la noche a la mañana”.
People gather during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
People gather during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw spoke during a press conference the day after protests related to the killing of George Floyd, outside of the Fire Administration Building in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, May 31, 2020. The Police Commissioner announced that the National Guard had been called, and that access into Center City was being restricted.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Ross Martinson owner of The Philadelphia Runner shop walks through his damage store at 1601 Sansom Street as the clean up begins the day after the killing of George Floyd protests in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
People clean windows on a dunkin donuts in Center City as clean up begins the day after the killing of George Floyd protests in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Blakely police line the perimeter of City Hall as protesters pass by in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 31, 2020. They were people walk by during the protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
A person is handcuffed and in police custody outside the Walmart in the Aramingo Crossing shopping center in Port Richmond May 31, 2020, as looting continues in the city following the death of George Floyd days ago in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Residents with cell phone cameras are all over the Port Richmond area May 31, 2020, as the area is under a heavy police presence, including at the Walmart in the Aramingo Crossing shopping center, as looting continues in the city following the death of George Floyd days ago in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
A brief heated verbal exchange between two unidentified people as clean up begins the day after protests in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence, looting, and vandalism Saturday across the country.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Police interrupt looting of the Foot Locker store at 3451 Aramingo Ave. in the Port Richmond section of Phila. at approx. 4:20 pm on May 31, 2020. The children ran, the man was apprehended by the policeman and then ordered to drop the goods and leave. The woman was put into a police car, unsure if she was actually arrested.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Protesters and police at police headquarters on Race Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff photographer
Jane Fine holds a sign wearing an American flag during a protest for George Floyd, at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
People gather during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
People gather for a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Protesters and police at police headquarters on Race Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff photographer
Activist, Melissa Robbins speaks to a crowd during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
People gather for a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
A police officer uses a spray on a person at 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
An unidentified man looks on during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
A police officer walks near 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff photographer
Police move along Aramingo Avenue in the Port Richmond area May 31, 2020, as looting continues in the city following the death of George Floyd days ago in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Port Richmond residents around Aramingo Avenue watch news helicopter and police activity in the area May 31, 2020, as looting continues in the city following the death of George Floyd days ago in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
People with cell phone cameras stop to record the aftermath at a Walmart with plywood boards inside and a "temporarily closed" sign posted May 31, 2020, following s looting in the area along Aramingo Avenue in the Port Richmond area in the days after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Police continue to block traffic along Aramingo Avenue in Port Richmond May 31, 2020, after there was looting in area city following the death of George Floyd days ago in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Protester confront each other during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Police along 52nd street, in West Philadelphia, Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Police deployed tear gas in the area of 52nd and Chestnut streets, in West Philadelphia, Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
Crowds loot stores on 52nd and Chestnut streets, in West Philadelphia, Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A man holds a lit tire near 52nd and Walnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff photographer
Police close down Aramingo Ave. in the Port Richmond section of Phila. at approx. 4 pm on May 31, 2020.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Jane Fine hold a sign wearing an American flag during a protest for George Floyd, at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Protesters and police at police headquarters on Race Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff photographer
Protesters and police at police headquarters on Race Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff photographer
At Snipes on Aramingo in Port Richmond, district manager Steve Leek (left) works with contractor Smirh Rooks to get the store secured after it was vandalized and looted in broad daylight on May 31, 2020.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Police gather at 51st and Market streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreAlejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
People gather for a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Police gather at 51st and Market streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreAlejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
People gather for a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
A man shields a woman from tear gas near 52nd and Chestnut Streets , May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
The inside of a looted GameStop at Park West Town Center in West Philadelphia, on Sunday, May 31, 2020Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Police Officers arrive at the Park West Town Center to clear out any looters in the stores in West Philadelphia, on Sunday May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Police Officers arrive at the Park West Town Center to clear out any looters in the stores in West Philadelphia, on Sunday May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
A man protects his face from tear gas near 52nd and Chestnut on May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read morePhiladelphia Inquirer
The Ben Franklin Bridge is closed headed from Camden into Philadelphia May 31, 2020, ordered shut down in both directions by PA Gov. Tom Wolf and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy as protests continue in the days after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
A protestor at 52nd and Chestnut Streets, May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read morePhiladelphia Inquirer
A Philadelphia Police helicopter flies over Park West Town Center looking at all the people looting the business's in West Philadelphia, on May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
People begin looting Lowes, Snipes, GameStop and T-Mobile at the Park West Town Center in West Philadelphia, on Sunday May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
People begin looting Lowes, Snipes, GameStop and T-Mobile at the Park West Town Center in West Philadelphia, on Sunday May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
People begin looting Lowes, Snipes, GameStop and T-Mobile at the Park West Town Center in West Philadelphia, on Sunday May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
People run after police launch tear gas on 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A man, who described himself as trying to keep the peace, watches a line of police on 52nd Street near Market Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A woman holding a trashcan lid shouts at police at 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A line of riot police standoff against protesters on 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
People run out of a Foot Locker at 52nd and Chestnut streets over a police cruiser carrying shoeboxes in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read morePhiladelphia Inquirer Staff Photographer
Police stand in a line on 52nd Street, between Arch and Market, as seen through a police cruiser in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A police officer prepares to fire off tear gas from the top of an armored vehicle near 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A line of riot police advance as a man walks backwards down Market Street, near 52nd, in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
Police drive an armored vehicle along 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A line of riot police face off with a group of several dozen protesters and 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A couple watched as police and protesters meet on 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A protester raises his hands in front of police at 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A woman looks on at 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney addresses the media on riots and looting in the city at the Fire Administration Building on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
A vandalized Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier at Washington Square Park on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Police deployed tear gas in the area of 52nd and Chestnut streets, in West Philadelphia, Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreInquirer Staff Photographer
Crowds loot stores on 52nd and Chestnut streets, in West Philadelphia, Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreInquirer Staff Photographer
People run along 52nd Street as police fire chemicals into the area in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
People gather on 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A man lies down with a sheet in the middle of 52nd Street near Market Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A man carried shoe boxes outside of Foot Locker at 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A woman holds up her hands as police approach her on 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A woman leaves a business on 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Firefighters respond to the scene at 52nd and Sansom streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Two people walk near 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A protestor stomps on a police car at 52nd between Arch and Market Streets, May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A protestor roll a tire on fire towards police on the 5200 block of Ludlow Street, May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A protestors jumps on a Fedex truck near 52nd and Chestnut Streets, May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A protestor at 52nd and Chestnut Streets, May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
People watch as protestors interact with police near 52nd and Chestnut on May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A protestors with a sign near 52nd and Chestnut on May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
After seeing the looting in other parts of the city, residents living around the Target on Mifflin Street in South Philadelphia gather in front of the store at night May 31, 2020. Johnny B. (would not give last name) said, “you've got to protect your neighborhood.” He said the people just came out after someone thought they saw people looking at the store. At around 10 p.m. he said they had been in front for five hours, and “we’ll be here all night.” He said it has been, “very peaceful. We’re getting to know Neighbors.”Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Neighborhood residents living around the Target on Mifflin Street in South Philadelphia May 31, 2020 confront others who arrived at the store after they had been "protecting" it for hours.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
El departamento ha sido reconocido en los últimos años por la reforma general de sus operaciones policiales, que se basa en los principios de la desescalación (o apaciguar diferencias).
Wysocki señaló que los oficiales en Camden reciben capacitación constante sobre cómo aliviar la tensión con palabras e intervenir en situaciones en las que los compañeros oficiales pueden volverse demasiado hostiles mientras realizan arrestos.
“Cuando tienes a alguien en crisis, es mejor hablar con él y calmarlo si es posible”, dijo Wysocki. “El tiempo está de nuestro lado para desacelerar las cosas. Es realmente importante tratar de evitar que la fuerza tenga que ser utilizada”.
El departamento también renovó su política sobre el uso de fuerza en agosto, que según Wysocki, reduciría las posibilidades de que ocurriera un incidente como la muerte de Floyd en Camden.
“No está permitido usar llaves de estrangulamiento”, dijo Wysocki sobre la política de su departamento. “Los oficiales que estaban allí, en Minnesota, tenían el deber de intervenir”.
Los participantes de la marcha se deleitaron con la demostración de unidad.
“Fue un enfoque de colaboración”, dijo el ministro Wasim Muhammed, 53, de Camden. “La comunidad no debería conocerte por un arresto. Nos conocemos y tenemos conversaciones. (...) Nosotros como comunidad decidimos unirnos”.
En medio del positivismo en Camden, muchos vieron cómo se desarrollaba la violencia al otro lado del río en Filadelfia, donde se incendiaron coches de la policía, rompieron las vitrinas de negocios y las fuerzas del orden público impusieron un toque de queda. Algunos tuvieron consejos para la fuerza policial de la ciudad vecina.
“Filadelfia no tiene una historia bonita (...) volviendo a los días de Rizzo”, dijo Muhammed, refiriéndose al excomisionado de la policía, Frank Rizzo. “Comiencen a compenetrarse más con la comunidad”.
