BRIDGEPORT — A group of about 10 people were outside the Deering District Headquarters Saturday to show their support for Chicago Police when they spotted about a dozen young, black kids waiting to cross Halsted Street to get to the police station.
A few wondered if they were the protesters who planned to disrupt their rally, which was created to say "thank you" to a police department that is facing intense scrutiny following the release of the Laquan McDonald video.
Teri King-Verzal walked up to the kids before they could reach the opposite side of the street and began handing out pro-police pamphlets.
"Everyone should be able to go home at night," she said, referring to police officers.
But, actually, the kids were brought to the Bridgeport police station, 3120 S. Halsted St., by their pastor, Omar Omar, who said he wanted his youth group to see the other side of the story. They accepted the pamphlets and walked up to the police building to try to meet some officers.
Omar, who leads the Firmwood United Methodist Church in Roseland, called over Cpt. Martin Ryczek, and asked a young girl in his group to shake the officer's hand.
She contorted her face and refused before agreeing to do so.
"Shake his hand," Omar said. "He's just a man. Despite his uniform, his skin color, he's still a man."
Omar said he wanted the kids to have a positive interaction with police. He said that such interactions are exceptions to the rule in many Chicago neighborhoods.
"We're trying to bring understanding," he said. "Just trying to get them to engage. Young people are not engaged in civic politics any more."
The interaction happened Saturday despite the planned police support rally being called off.
Chrissy Zanin, of Canaryville, had on Friday created a Facebook event for a rally she said was intended to show officers that their work is appreciated despite the mass demonstrations in Chicago.
But the rally, scheduled for Saturday outside the Deering District building, was called off late Friday after Zanin said she was asked by police to reschedule. She said both police and the group needed more time to organize for an event for which 400 people had RSVPed on Facebook.
"I do agree that, because of how big it got, there needs to be more organization," Zanin said. "The last thing I want to do is make these first responders' lives any harder."
Still, Zanin and about 10 others showed up to show their support. Many brought presents to give to the police station's toy drive. Others brought balloons or signs wishing police well.
"This is about saying thank you to the men and women who answer our calls," Zanin said. "I understand what [protesters] are trying to do. I do. This has nothing to do with them."
Ryczek and a few other officers went outside to greet the group and shake hands. He said he appreciated the gesture, but said it is not needed.
"It's obviously nice," he said. "To have someone come up and say, 'thank you,' that does feel good."
Ryczek said that, perhaps contrary to popular belief, officers do hear words of encouragement while in their beats.
"With everything going on, we still get that support from the community," he said.
Zanin said she is likely to reschedule her rally, which will have supporters meet outside the Deering station before marching to Chicago Police Headquarters in Bronzeville.
It might be in January, and hats and gloves might be required at that time, but it will be worth it, Zanin said.
"Just because we're postponing doesn't mean you can't stop to shake an officer's hand," she said. "That's all we ask."
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