San Diegan gives hugs to cops during North Carolina protests
A San Diego man braved the fray of the unrest in North Carolina Wednesday night but rather than joining the protests he instead offered hugs to police officers, a move that raised both ire and praise from onlookers.
Ken Nwadike Jr., is a graduate of Chula Vista High School and an Eastlake resident who founded the Free Hugs Project, an effort aimed at spreading love and raising awareness of social issues.
Known as the “free hugs guy,” Nwadike was already in South Carolina that day where he had addressed college students when he saw on television that the second night of protest in Charlotte was getting violent. So he drove an hour and half to the area arriving to the news that a man in the crowd had been shot in the face.
The demonstration was in response to the death of Keith Lamont Scott, a black man who was fatally shot by a black officer with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. Officials said Scott was armed with a gun, which has been disputed by his family.
Nwadike is seen on video wearing a black “free hugs” T-shirt standing between a group of angry protesters and a line of police officers clad in riot gear when he is beckoned by a white officer.
Thanks for being out here and being peaceful,” said the burly officer who gave Nwadike a bear hug. A second officer also hugged him and shook his hand.
He said the first officer told him he knew of his work and told Nwadike to keep it up, that he was making a difference. “Don’t let the things these guys are saying get to you,” the officer told him, referring to the crowd who was hurling ugly insults his way.
The demonstration of love did not go over that well with some of the angry protesters, however, who yelled profanities at Nwadike. Undeterred, he attempted to win them over as well.
“It’s about staying neutral,” he said as he turned to face the aggressive crowd. “None of these people shot anyone,” he screamed gesturing at the officers.
“His uniform doesn’t make him a robot just like your skin color doesn’t make you a criminal,” he said to another person in the crowd.
“Take off that badge, n****r, take off that badge,” one protester yelled repeatedly. That man, who was wearing a red jacket, is seen later in the video shaking Nwadike’s hand. “I know where he’s coming from,” the man said.
But not everyone shared that point of view. One woman was so belligerent that it was frustrating, Nwadike said.
“I can’t even reason with you,” he said to her as others shouted and called him names.
Nwadike took to Facebook the following day where he wrote:
“Last night was very risky and difficult being on the frontline fighting for peace. I lost my patience with a few people, but I know I got through to many and kept some from getting arrested. Unfortunately, a young man was shot in the head during the protests. Condolences to his family. Hate and violence won't fix the damage that has been done, only love can do that.”
The post has since had some 25 million views, more than 400,000 shares and almost 14,000 comments.
One man wrote, “This guy should be running for president.”
Another man who identified himself as a law enforcement officer said, “It's refreshing to know there are people like him out there trying to portray a valid message to the close minded public... wish more people would listen to gentlemen like this.”
“Thank you for bringing common sense to this situation,” wrote another person.
A woman posted, “This project restores my hope in the human race! Thank you with all my heart!”
Nwadike, who was profiled by the San Diego Union-Tribune in May, said he started giving away hugs after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The 34-year-old father of three said he wanted to participate in the next race but did not qualify so he instead stood on the sidelines and offered hugs to runners to encourage them.
His work has since taken him across the country where he has offered hugs to everyone from Paralympians to Donald Trump supporters.
Nwadike said while he did get a lot of positive response he also got an email from an African-American woman who said he was a “disgrace to the race.”
“Because I hugged a white police officer? That’s just disgusting to me,” he said. “So somehow we should all just divide and go on hating each other? he asked. “That will never be OK with me.”
