MONTGOMERY, Ala. — In the wake of attacks on police officers in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rogue, Louisiana, Governor Robert Bentley (R-Ala.) announced that the state capitol building will be illuminated blue every night this week to honor law enforcement.
“Alabama joins the rest of the nation in praying for the men and women who sacrifice so much to safeguard us daily,” the governor said in a press release. “This week we are illuminating the State Capitol blue to show Alabama’s support for law enforcement locally and across the country. The contributions and sacrifices made by these men and women are immeasurable, and it is important for us as Alabamians and Americans to honor them.”
Currently, Alabama has approximately 16,000 municipal, county and state law enforcement officers. The state capitol will be lit blue every night through Friday, July 22.
Both elected officials and private citizens across Alabama have done a great deal to showcase their support for the men and women in blue. The small town of Rainbow city recently hosted a law enforcement support night and several cities throughout the state have done the same.
Another Alabamian wanted to personally find and thank the officers who saved his life after he was nearly killed in a shooting in Birmingham. “I just want to come here and thank the officers for doing their job to the best of their ability and trying to show them people care about them doing their job because I know it could be a hard task out here,” the man said.
Other Alabamians took to social media to encourage their friends and co-workers to wear blue clothes or ribbons in support of police officers, and others pledged to place blue lightbulbs on their front porch.
“My plan is to replace my porch light with a blue light bulb to honor our heroes in blue,” said one social media commenter. “I want them to know me and my household are behind them and appreciate them.”
With all of the racial turmoil and violence across the country, Alabama has remained relatively calm. Yellowhammer CEO Cliff Sims believes he knows why.
This state has endured a lot of racial strife over the years. And maybe we’re tired — tired of the politics of division and the media that feeds off of it. Maybe we’re ready for reconciliation — real reconciliation. Not the kind that dismisses our differences, but acknowledges them and tries to understand. The kind that listens first. The kind that is slow to anger. The kind that recognizes the fact that all of us, regardless of race, sex or socioeconomic status, are unified by a few core concerns — faith, family, community and work.
Event though the capitol will be blue, Bentley – and officials around the state – are encouraging locals to do more to support officers, including a call to keep law enforcement families in their prayers.
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