The United States Capitol Black Police Association expected 50 to 200 people to protest what it has described as an unfair, discriminatory and hostile work environment.
Thirty minutes after the appointed time, fewer than a dozen protesters stood under a tree outside the Capitol, looking like tourists seeking shade.
“Fear of retaliation” was the reason so few participated, according to Sharon Malloy, vice president of the association.
Perhaps.
Fear of retaliation against employees is real in the federal government, but would that alone account for such a poor turnout?
“We talked to well over 100 people and got a commitment,” she said. “They said they would come, and then they didn’t show up. I wish I could shake the fear out of them.”
Despite the showing, the issues are serious for those who took the time to attend the demonstration, such as it was.
Malloy loved being a cop. She recalls “the officers, the public, the mission. The people motivated me to come to work.”
