Every Friday is Now #BlueLightFriday

 
IMG_9109

Cameron Gray, Michelle Malkin, and John Cardillo.

On Monday July 18, Michelle Malkin sent me a direct message on Twitter. She said she was thinking of coming here to Washington for a vigil in front of the White House to show support for law enforcement. After the murders of five cops in Dallas and three in Baton Rouge, plus the general anti-police sentiment across the country, she decided it was time for such an event. She asked if I was going to be in town and if I could help plan the rally. I said yes.

I was lying.

My wife and I had a trip to New York scheduled that Thursday and Friday, and we were not supposed to be returning until late Friday night. But when, 1) Michelle Malkin asks, and 2) it’s to support law enforcement, one changes their plans. There was no way I wasn’t going to be in town for the rally. So, plans were changed.

Michelle also got John Cardillo, former NYPD officer, and current Miami-based talk show host, involved as well. The plan was that Michelle would use her massive audience to get the word out, John would use his police contacts to get law enforcement to the vigil, and I would help (with my amazing wife, Loretta) to arrange things locally here in Washington. This was the plan, but it was all contingent on whether Michelle and John could get to Washington on Friday. Finally, on Wednesday, their travel was confirmed, and the event was a go. With just two days to make it a reality.

IMG_9108

Having it in front of the White House was important for a variety of reasons. One is that President Obama has been anti-cop since the beginning of his Administration. Another is that it is where he invites groups like Black Lives Matter, whose leaders openly praise cop-killers and chant violent messages against police.

Lastly, it is a building that has been lit up in rainbow colors for the LGBT community, and lit up in pink for breast cancer awareness. Yet White House officials have repeatedly refuse to light it up in blue to honor slain police officers nationwide. Michelle named the rally #BlueLightFriday and said if the White House wouldn’t light it blue, the people would do it for them.

The day of the first-ever #BlueLightFriday arrived, and the three of us met in Washington. We first went to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to pay our respects to the more than 20,000 members of law enforcement. From their website:

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is centered in the 400 block of E Street, NW, Washington, DC and is the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.

The Memorial features two curving, 304-foot-long blue-gray marble walls. Carved on these walls are the names of more than 20,000 officers who have been killed in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known death in 1791. Unlike many other memorials in Washington, DC, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is ever-changing: new names of fallen officers are added to the monument each spring, in conjunction with National Police Week.

We then made our way to Lafayette Park, where we met with friends and supporters who would also be part of the rally. John was able to procure a bagpipe player, who started playing as we all walked across the street to the front gate of the White House.

Here is the video of John Cardillo and Michelle Malkin speaking in front of the White House:

It was a beautiful and powerful event.  Many people who listened to Michelle and John’s speeches came over to ask for blue glow sticks in order to support the cause themselves.  Members of a certain Service than is known for being Secret even quietly thanked some of us, and one said it was hard not to applaud.

This photo perfectly sums it up the first #BlueLightFriday:

IMG_9118

From now on, make every Friday #BlueLightFriday. Replace a clear light bulb, wear a glow stick, even just wear a blue piece of clothing. Let’s all promise to show our support of law enforcement nationwide, at least once a week.

At least.

Published in Policing
Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 6 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Wow! And nice pictures.

    • #1
  2. Nick Stuart Inactive
    Nick Stuart
    @NickStuart

    It’s blue light every day here

    BlueLightFriday2

    • #2
  3. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Three cheers to you and everyone involved – finally! I hope there are many more marches and events like this in support of our law enforcement community, who protect all lives – and put themselves on the line 24/7.

    • #3
  4. Scott Wilmot Member
    Scott Wilmot
    @ScottWilmot

    Cameron Gray: From now on, make every Friday #BlueLightFriday. Replace a clear light bulb, wear a glow stick, even just wear a blue piece of clothing. Let’s all promise to show our support of law enforcement nationwide, at least once a week.

    Thanks for this Cameron – sounds like a good simple gesture in support of a good and necessary cause.

    • #4
  5. Kay of MT Inactive
    Kay of MT
    @KayofMT

    Will have to go buy a blue light bulb for my patio.

    • #5
  6. Cameron Gray Inactive
    Cameron Gray
    @CameronGray

    Scott Wilmot:

    Cameron Gray: From now on, make every Friday #BlueLightFriday. Replace a clear light bulb, wear a glow stick, even just wear a blue piece of clothing. Let’s all promise to show our support of law enforcement nationwide, at least once a week.

    Thanks for this Cameron – sounds like a good simple gesture in support of a good and necessary cause.

    Thank you, Scott

    • #6
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.