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Protesters Cheer As Officers 'Take A Knee' Outside Boston Police Headquarters

BOSTON (CBS) - There was a powerful moment outside Boston Police headquarters Tuesday night as a crowd of protesters chanted "take a knee" to the officers standing guard.

The crowd erupted into cheers when the officers began to kneel one by one. One officer could be seen holding up the peace sign as he kneeled and leaned on his baton.

Former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson thanked the police officers for showing solidarity. "They showed restraint and I also want to thank them for taking a knee," Jackson told WBZ-TV. "It means a lot. It means a lot to us to hear that you care."

In a tweet, Boston Police said the gesture underscores "the humanity of our officers and their undeniable desire to act in solidarity with our community."

Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Boston after a peaceful rally for George Floyd in Franklin Park organized by Black Lives Matter.

An officer told WBZ-TV's Nick Emmons, "tell everyone you see tonight, we're praying for peace."

On Sunday there were massive peaceful protests in Boston that gave way to violence and looting after 9 p.m.

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