Photo of police in riot gear arresting protester in a dress strikes chord on social media

The photo, which is a juxtaposition of a peaceful protester and police clad in riot gear, is making a big statement on social media.
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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

In the aftermath of what can only be described as a truly tragic week in the United States, an image of a woman peacefully protesting in Baton Rouge while being grabbed by police officers in riot gear is making waves on social media.

The image, taken on Saturday, is a startling juxtaposition. The woman is poised and calm as she stands in a beautiful summer dress. Officers, decked out in helmets, arm and shin guards, and bulletproof vests approach her.

Behind them, a squadron of officers in SWAT gear stand at the ready, some with rifles drawn.


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Tensions remain high at protests across the country after police shot Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philandro Castile in St. Paul, Minnesota, last week, which was followed by a sniper attack in Dallas that left five police officers dead.

Some on social media are likening the image to the iconic Tank Man photo from the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.

The image, which is getting major attention across Twitter and Facebook, summarizes, for many, the outsized response by police to protesters in cities like Baton Rouge.

More than 100 individuals were taken into custody in Baton Rouge on Saturday, including prominent Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson.

Protesters gathered at the convenience store where Sterling was shot and killed by police during an altercation on Tuesday morning.

Protests continued on Sunday in Baton Rouge and other cities across the nation.

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