Speakers at ‘Back the Blue’ rally decry bail reform, other ‘pro-criminal’ legislation
Photos by Tom Rivers
MURRAY – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke speaks during Sunday’s Back the Blue rally in Murray. Bourke said law enforcement officers appreciated the support of the community as the job becomes more challenging with what Bourke said are “pro-criminal” laws.
Bourke is critical of state legislation that make it more difficult for judges to set bail for people who have been arrested and are a danger to the community.
He shared how the SWAT team arrested a drug dealer in Orleans County and that person was sitting back on their porch a few hours later, smoking a cigarette.
“We’re not taking care of our citizens,” Bourke said about the legislation. “This should be about protecting people and quality of life.”
Judges should be allowed to review a defendant’s criminal history and determine whether that person is a flight risk in setting bail, Bourke said.
About 150 motorcyclists and 70 other vehicles participated in the 50-mile ride in Orleans County that started and ended on Monroe-Orleans Countyline Road. The ride went along Route 31 from Holley through Albion to Medina, and then went north on Route 63, and came back east through Ridgeway, Gaines and Murray.
The state’s “Raise the Age” law also means people can’t be prosecuted as an adult until they are 18, instead of 16.
Other legislation, including discovery laws, have titled the balance towards criminals, Bourke and other speakers said during the rally.
“We love you if you support the police and if you don’t support the police,” Bourke said. “We take care of everybody.”
Many elected officials and those seeking public office welcomed the chance to speak at the rally, including from left: State Sen. Rob Ortt, Murray Town Supervisor Gerry Rightmyer and Kimberly DeRosa, a candidate for the 135th Assembly District on the east side of Monroe County.
Ortt said the State Legislature needs more conservative members who will push back on “pro-criminal legislation” that he said is making our communities less safe and putting law enforcement officers in more danger.
He cited the examples of officers killed in New York City and Syracuse by people who would have been held in jail before the bail reform changes, which Ortt said has turned the state into “catch and release” program for criminals.
“We need strong candidates who won’t be swayed,” Ortt said about having more Republicans in the Legislature.
Rightmyer, the Murray supervisor, said he is particularly angered by people who burn the American flag and then replace it with another country’s flag.
DeRosa said the state laws have gone in the wrong direction with community safety.
“Criminals are emboldened by policies that don’t give them any kind of consequence,” she said.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney said she would have loved to have ridden her motorcycle on the 50-mile trip but had five events on Sunday. She wore earrings that looked like handcuffs for the Back the Blue rally.
She said the bail reform has made law enforcement more dangerous. She cited the death of Rochester police officer Tony Mazurkiewicz, who was shot and killed on July 21, 2022 in an ambush.
Tenney urged the crowd of about 300 people to support candidates who stand by the Constitution, which she said emphasizes public safety and border security.
This vehicle shows a sign in support of Donald Trump and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
Ayesha Kreutz, left, and Peter Vazquez spoke at the rally. Kreutz is a member of the Protect Kids Coalition. That group opposes Proposition One on the back of the November ballot. Kreutz said it is presented as an Equal Rights Amendment but is a “Parent Replacement Act,” giving parents less say in how their children process gender identity and medical decisions.
Vazquez is a candidate for Monroe County clerk. He said he the country need to move past political party labels. He is focused on “God, country and family.”
He spoke against the progressive left and “the buffoon in the White House.”
Many of the rally attendees displayed signs to show their support for law enforcement.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley railed against recently passed state legislation that he said put the communities at risk around the state.
“We are absolutely appalled and dismayed at what law enforcement is facing from the people in Albany,” Hawley said. “Our society has lost its way. The police are our last line of defense.”
These speakers include from left: Orlando Rivera, a candidate for State Assembly; Gregg Sadwick, a candidate for the 25th Congressional District against Joe Morelle; and retired Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode, who is running for state senator.
Rivera thanked the law enforcement officers for their service.
“You get up every day serving us tirelessly and you don’t have to,” Rivera said.
Sadwick, a Navy veteran and business owner, said, “You will never see me sitting or kneeling against you.”
VanBrederode said state legislators are out of touch with how police officers do their jobs.
This was the fifth “Back the Blue” ride through Orleans County and the event has many vocal supporters for Donald Trump. There were a few Trump flags at Sunday’s rally, but the message and flags were more focused on the “Back the Blue” message. The rally was held on property owned by David Paul and his family.
Monroe County Legislator Virginia McIntyre, an opera singer, sang the national anthem.
