MISSY MENDOZA (center), Leah Cecil Theodore sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” with Councilman George Brietigam (at right) during “Defend the GGPD” rally Saturday morning in the Village Green (Orange County Tribune photos).

A rally in support of local police Saturday morning drew a crowd of about 150 people to the Village Green park in downtown Garden Grove.

Organized by Audie Chavira, Brandon Chavira and Maria Johnson, the event featured the Pledge of Allegiance, a singing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” a prayer and remarks from event organizers and local officials.

FLAGS and signs in support of law enforcement were displayed on the Euclid Street side of the Village Green park in Garden Grove during Saturday’s rally.

Titled “Defend the GGPD and Back the Badge,” the event sought to separate any connection between the Garden Grove Police Department and agencies in other cities accused of violence against African Americans.

“We can’t control what happens nationally,” said Audie Chavira, “but we can control what happens in our community. It’s important that we get together, support each other and support the police department.”

She went on to say, “We need to bring them the sunshine and light they deserve every single day. We cannot let others write the narrative of who they are. We know who they are.”

In attendance were Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones and councilmembers George Brietigam, Phat Bui and Stephanie Klopfenstein, as well as Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education member Terri Rocco and Westminster city councilmember Tai Do.

The crowd rallied by the clock tower at the northern tip of the park, where Main and Euclid streets split. Additionally, a row of people lined the west side of Euclid waving flags and displaying posters in support of police.

That site has been the location for two “Black Lives Matter” events, and one demand of some protesters has been to “defund” or even abolish the GGPD.