Police supporters plan rally in Cleveland

Police supporters plan rally in Cleveland

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

A police dispatcher who organized a rally scheduled for Saturday in support of officers and invited 500 friends to it says thousands of people plan to attend.

Mary Jo Graves decided last Sunday to organize the Sea of Blue Support rally on Cleveland’s Public Square by creating a page on Facebook and inviting her friends. She said Thursday that more than 54,000 invites have been sent across the social media website, and 4,000 people have indicated they plan to be there.

“I was hoping to get 100 people to stand with me at Public Square in support of officers, and it kind of blew up,” said Graves, who spent nearly 14 years as a Cleveland police dispatcher.

She said her campaign was prompted by the negative attention and protests directed at police recently.

Graves, the sister of a Cleveland police officer, said she thought it was time to stand up in support of law enforcement.