As the New Year opens this weekend, a group of supporters of local law enforcement has planned a rally in downtown Albemarle to show their support.

A page on Facebook, Back The Blue Stanly County, will have a Blue Out to show support for law enforcement at Courthouse Square in downtown Albemarle Saturday at 2 p.m.

Encouraging citizens to wear blue line apparel and wave flags, the page stated local officers “need to know that the law-abiding citizens of this county not only stand behind them but with them. This will be done in a sensible manner. This is not to provoke violence or start any trouble whatsoever, but to be stern, be heard and support blue.”

The event description also stated people can choose whether or not to wear a mask, saying “it is your right to decide per the United States Constitution. If it’s a problem for you, then hopefully you can see a live feed.”

Neil Smith, one of the hosts of the Facebook page promoting the event, said officers “deserve to be recognized. The only people that would disagree are folks that break the law.”