Second Main Street Backs the Blue event in Fort Worth

May 11,2016

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Reposted from WFAA News

By Jim Douglas

 Last September, two citizens got so upset about anti-police protests that they organized a back the blue demonstration in Fort Worth.

They had only a week to spread the word through Facebook, but more than 1,000 people responded. So Main Street Backs the Blue is back.

"We're hearing five to six, maybe closer to 10,000 people there," said organizer Nannette Samuelson. "Isn't that amazing?"

It is. Samuelson and a stranger named Jason Baldwin put together last year's event after both told the Fort Worth Police Officers Association they wanted to do something. Samuelson points out she has no personal police connection. 

"Just that they protect me every day," she says.

This year they've put up five billboards, and had a lot more lead time on social media to get the word out for the downtown Fort Worth march and rally on May 21.

When she called Clear Channel advertising to ask about the cost of billboards, the woman who answered surprised her.

"She said I know exactly what you're talking about; 'I was there,'" Samuelson said the woman told her in reference to the September rally.

Clear Channel donated the space, and a GoFundMe effort raised the rest. 

"How big it's grown, it's great," said Fort Worth officer HL Melendez. "It's a good feeling for everybody."

He was among dozens who gathered recently to honor 59 Fort Officers killed in the line of duty. 

Organizers of Main Street Backs the Blue hope the movement picks up more steam.

"We would really love to see this go national," Samuelson said. "Every town has a main street. Every town could do Main Street Backs the Blue."

The march in downtown Fort Worth is scheduled to start at 4th and Main streets at 10 a.m. on May 21.