HENRY COUNTY, Ga — Hundreds of people came out to meet NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and to connect with area police.
WSB-TV was in Henry County today, to catch up with Shaq.
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“When you see Shaquille O’Neal and this face, that’s all I want you to remember, peace,” Shaq said.
That was the message Saturday: peace between police and the community.
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“It’s time for the people and law enforcement to get together, no trust, no relationship,” Shaq said.
Hundreds of people came out to the Henry County Ride for Unity. Shaq brought out some celebrity friends, along with Henry and Fulton counties’ sheriffs.
“It’s not just closing the gap, but being a part of the community,” Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat said.
“There’s a rift between law enforcement and the community. We literally had law enforcement officers from all over the southeast United States,” Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett said.
There was food, music, bikes and plenty of conversation to achieve that goal of unity.
“That happens by bringing together, having a conversation with someone who doesn’t look like you, think like you, and try to go to a different level we have not visited before,” Scandrett said.
That conversation doesn’t have to be a somber one.
Shaq’s been saying all week he wants people of all ages to get involved.
“This is something we want to do to bring the community together, especially the kids... Because I believe the children are our, you know the song,” Shaq said, referring to the opening lines of Whitney Houston’s hit “The Greatest Love of All.”
It’s not just this unity ride. Shaq’s sports camp for kids starts next week in Henry County.
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