Cops order protesters to decamp
But organizers in Latham Park since Saturday vow to remain
STAMFORD — Stamford Police have told demonstrators occupying Latham Park to pack up their belongings and leave the public area.
“You are in violation of city regulations,” Police Capt. Susan Bretthauer told a group of the protesters Wednesday.
She and a partner delivered a short statement, from the mayor’s office and police department, which they also provided in writing
“We are ordering you to pack up your tents and to leave the park with your tents and belongings,” the statement read.
Protesters, who have been camped in the park since Saturday, did not respond directly to the officers before they left.
But organizers later said they
planned to remain in the public park, despite receiving the evacuation order, even if it meant arrest.
“We have a list of people who are willing to take (that) risk and people who are not,” one stated.
Assistant Police Chief Tom Wuennemann in an interview said if protesters don’t leave police will remove them.
He said that for security reasons he would not say when officers would return. About 20 to 30 protesters have taken part in the multi-day demonstration.
“I don’t want confrontation. If we do arrest people ... I would prefer to arrest as few as I can,” Wuennemann said. “But we’re looking for voluntary compliance and I think, up to this point, we have been very agreeable and tried to work with them”
Several hours later, in response to the police warning, demonstrators temporarily blocked traffic on Bedford Street. Police responded, and the group moved back into the park. Police officials at that time delivered another warning.
Protesters formed the Latham Park encampment on Saturday afternoon, following a march demanding additional answers into the death of Steven Barrier, a 23year-old man, who died in Stamford police custody in October.
The park protesters, who maintain they do not need a permit to be in the park as they are exercising their speech rights, have promised to remain there until city leaders adhere to several demands, which include removing funds from the Stamford Police Department, “demilitarizing” the police department and making more transparent internal police investigations.
City leaders have met with protesters.
On Wednesday afternoon, before the demonstrators were advised to leave the area, some nearby community members voiced their support.
“I have a little baby and I bring her outside for a walk every evening and I have never felt uncomfortable or anything else,” said Aleezay Fatima, a Stamford woman living in a nearby apartment building.
She said protesters have not been a problem, and they’ve remained peaceful during their time at the park.
“(The protest) might be not important for some people, so they have issues (with the protesters). But for the people that think this is a priority... they wouldn’t mind having them here,” Fatima said.
A manager at Mecha Noodle Bar, a restaurant near the encampment, echoed Fatima’s sentiments. He donated $350-worth of food to the protesters on Tuesday.
“I feel like everybody should have a voice, so if they’re going to stand there for as many days as they need to, at least they should be fed,” said the manager, Luis Taveras, who lives in an apartment facing the encampment.
“As humans, I feel like there should be more decent human beings out there, just to help each other out, without an expectation in return,” he said.
But a spokesman from the mayor’s office said the city has received roughly 100 calls and emails about the park protest, most from nearby residents and business owners.
“How is it that we tolerate the group in Latham park, who seem to be heavily populated by non stamford residents, occupying our public land while tax paying law abiding citizens with permits to use the park are turned away from it?” one complainant wrote to the mayor’s office.
Local organization, including a yoga group, with permits have not been able to use the park this week, police have said.
“Why do you even listen to the demands of non-Stamford people?” wrote another resident.
Wuennemann said the Police Department has received an equal number of complaints and inquiries questioning when officers will remove the protesters.
Protest organizers said some demonstrators are from Stamford while others are from around Fairfield County.
“A lot of people were just touched by Steven’s (Barrier’s) story and just wanted to join us,” an organizer, who would only give her first name, Maria, said.
It should matter more that individuals from other areas feel compelled to protest in Stamford, she said.
Owners of several establishments on Bedford declined to speak about the encampment Wednesday.
But Giovani Gentile, owner of Capriccio Cafe, said a few of his regular customers have declined to visit his restaurant because they felt the encampment was causing tensions.
Wuennemann said protesters could potentially be charged with unlawful assembly or with violating curfew or public gathering ordinances. Tents could be confiscated, he said.
“It all depends on what happens. I would hope that people would voluntarily leave. I would hope that they would not resist,” he said.
“Quite honestly, the ball is in their court.”