Back The Blue Rally This Weekend in Sartell

(KNSI) – Supporters of law enforcement are invited to a Back the Blue Rally in Sartell on Saturday. Last month, the Sartell Police Department announced they would remove the “thin blue line” decals from its patrol vehicles.

The flags became controversial after Sartell resident Hannah Koloski argued the symbol had been co-opted by pro-policing groups like “blue lives matter” to mock calls for racial justice, police accountability and the Black Lives Matter movement. A petition got close to 600 signatures. Meanwhile, a counter-petition to keep the decals got almost 1,200.

A statement from Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes says, “Words alone seem inadequate to say thank you for all of the support regarding the flag on the police department squads. This decision to remove was not an easy one. We had to think about the safety of officers, support staff, reserve officers and firefighters that work daily at the public safety facility, but most importantly our priority is you, the community that we need to provide assistance to in your time of need. We want our community to feel safe to come to our building to report a crime, register for permits, get advice and guidance from a police officer or even use the Safe Room to escape an abuser they are fleeing, and this is the best course of action to keep this intact.”

Sartell resident Jen Smith is one of the event organizers and discussed why they’re holding the rally.

“A couple of us in the community decided just to show our law enforcement and all of our first responders really that they do have the community’s support.”

She says “thin blue line” yard signs and decals will be available.

“This is not the city. This is purely community members. If they’re going to take the decals off of the squad cars then a bunch of the community is going to drive around with the decals on our cars.”

Donations will be accepted for the decals and yard signs. There will also be a Corn Hole tournament with two divisions. The entry fee for the competitive division is $60 and the entry fee for the social division is $30. Half the money from the Corn Hole tournament will go to the winners and the rest will be donated to the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association.

The Back the Blue Rally is Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Winners Sports bar and Grill, 311 2nd Street South in Sartell. The bar will be offering food and drink specials. Sign up for the Corn Hole tournament starts at noon.