Arlington 'Back The Blue' Rally Planned; Town Manager Concerned

ARLINGTON, MA — A rally planned in Arlington in support of police officers is drawing a sharp rebuke from Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine. The "Back the Blue" rally is set to take place on Town Hall Plaza Thursday, Sept. 10.

Chapdelaine said while he agrees with supporting the Arlington Police Department, which he called a "model for what police departments should be across the nation," organizers were believed to be linked to a controversial group called "Act for America." The organization has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League, according to Chapdelaine.

Chapdelaine told Patch Wednesday that organizers have disavowed any affiliation with the hate group.

"The Town of Arlington strongly condemns any group that stands for and encourages hate and racist views toward any members of the Arlington community," Chapdelaine said. "Protests sponsored by groups like this are often focused on stoking civil unrest and creating fear in order to gain media attention and followers."

Chapdelaine said the police department's accomplishments in community policing, including its jail diversion program, opiate outreach initiative and participation in a team that works with homeless populations, should be celebrated. At the same time, he said he believes that calls for reforms such as body cameras and additional training should be considered in Arlington.

"I implore people of all opinions and perspectives to actively engage in this discussion with the community as opposed to participating in a rally like the one planned for Thursday, which I fear will only exacerbate tensions," Chapdelaine said.

Several residents have asked town officials to prevent Thursday's demonstration. Chapdelaine said while the town has control over what is displayed on its buildings and flags, and the messages conveyed by its leaders, demonstrators have a right to assemble peacefully on public sidewalks and street corners.

"In these most traditional of public forums, however vehemently the town's government disagrees with those who assemble, however poorly conceived or ugly a message - this government does not deny the right to assemble in orderly lawful fashion and it does not allow or disallow speech in public forums based on agreement," Chapdelaine said.

"To reiterate, the Town stands ready and willing to both support the women and men of the Arlington Police Department while simultaneously engaging in community dialogue about valid concerns and needed reform," he continued. "However, the town equally stands ready to denounce messages of hate that are brought to the community."