Peaceful walk in support of Fayetteville police met by protesters

A peaceful walk in support of law enforcement with the Fayetteville Police Department was met with opposition from a group of protesters camping out at the historic Market House who are demanding change in the city.

Red, white and a thin blue line were flying in the wind and held high in hands Thursday evening.

"We're backing the blue," said Danny Thompson.

There was a large number of people walking down Franklin Street to show their support for Fayetteville police.

"I can't even describe how good of a feeling it was," said Sgt. Jeremy Glass with the Fayetteville Police Department.

"For us to come out here with various backgrounds and show our police officers support, it means a lot," said Shamike Bethea.

Citizen Cares Project delivered 420 care packages on Thursday. The group raised $35,000 to put the care packages together. They held a peaceful walk from the Cumberland County Courthouse to the police department before unloading and distributing the care packages.

Inside each package was a gift card for dinner at a local restaurant, a handwritten note of encouragement and other non-perishable food items such as hand sanitizer.

But there is hurt in the community and some want to see change. Protesters occupying the Market House want that change made and their voices heard. They also marched to the police station and a confrontation ensued between the two groups as the care packages were being unloaded.

"All we’re saying is let’s come together and work out what we have in our city with our police department," said Connie, a protester.

Glass said they hear them, too.

"This wasn’t saying that their cause is any less," Glass said. "This was just people coming together, saying 'Hey, we understand the police are going through a lot."