Neighborhood demonstrates to support local police

MAYFAIR (WPVI) -- There was a different type of demonstration Friday night compared to those held most recently. In the city's Mayfair section, residents took the streets not to protest police, but to support them.

The man who organized the rally is the grandson of a former Philadelphia Police detective. It all started on Facebook with a post he put out for a rally he calls "way overdue."

Christine McCormac of Port Richmond says, "They're out there risking their lives. That's a big thing to see. All this love and people want to show them. They deserve it."

Donald Garvey is the main organizer. He tells us, "This message is completely positive. We don't want to focus on any bad cops because there are bad cops, racist cops. We're for the 99%, which I believe 99% of cops are good."

Hundreds turned out with signs, posters and strong opinions.

One man said, "We're here because we want to be heard and let's make ourselves heard. Let's make ourselves know that we draw the line. We respect our police."

Many taking a moment to thank the men and women in uniform for all they do.

Janet Cantor of Mayfair says, "When I heard about this when I said I have to be here and I knew I would be safe because the police were going to be here I think this is wonderful."

10-year-old Ryan Kamnik says, "They do much for us and sometimes we don't understand how much that means our city."

There have been hundreds of demonstrations across the country in protest of law enforcement following the deaths of several black men at the hands of police officers.

But Organizers say this rally is not in response to any of that.

Resident Hank Bickel tells us, "It's just a neighborhood, the neighborhood of Mayfair and our friends, getting together to let the neighborhood police know that the neighborhood in the community backs them."

Philadelphia Police stood watch, ensuring all went well. And even though the demonstration was in their honor, they only came to do a job.

Chief Inspector Dennis Wilson explains, "They have a viewpoint just like the protesters that we have been dealing with for the past few weeks have their viewpoint. Both groups have the right to go out and express their views. And we're here to ensure there's no property damage and no one gets hurt."

And in conjunction with the rally dozens of toys were collected for the children over at CHOP.

Police are saying this was a peaceful demonstration.