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Community Rallies In Support Of Police In Northeast Philly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Hundreds of people gathered for a rally in northeast Philadelphia Sunday showing support for the men and women in blue.

Roaring motorcycles lined up and down Cottman Avenue as blue and black American flags waved in the air, while people at the Back The Blue rally cheered on and saluted the officers as they passed by.

"We've always known that we have a lot support," says Philadelphia police commissioner Richard Ross. "But when people come out and show you, it is really meaningful to us. I can't thank them enough for giving their time. They didn't have to do that, but they came out today to express their support for us and it really means the world to us."

Captain Anthony Luca with the 15th district says it's amazing to see so many people out showing them love:

"It's great, because our job sometimes is thankless, so it's amazing we get this kind of support."

Donna Didonato -- a retired police officer -- says recent attacks on officers across the country led her to organize the rally:

"We wanted to show that there are people that stand behind the police in Philadelphia. We want to show police across the United States that we're there for them. There are people that stand behind them."

During the rally, people were treated to music and food and got a chance to thank officers for their service.

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