The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘Together, we can make our community stronger’
MIDDLETOWN — City officials took to social media this week to address protests across the nation — condemning police actions in connection with the death of George Floyd and others — some of which have turned violent.
Public statements have been made over the past several days by Mayor Ben Florsheim, Superintendent of Schools Michael Conner and Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh in reaction to the riots in Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., New York and other major cities across the United States.
They pledged to create more transparency among government, the Board of Education, business leaders and the public on issues related to social justice, race and what the path ahead will look like.
McKenna took to Facebook June 1 by video, making similar remarks to the one he made during Saturday night’s gathering of 750 people downtown, during which most of the community members wore face masks to prevent potential spread of the coronavirus.
He called the Floyd killing a “horrific incident” that “deeply hurt, saddened and angered people across America.
“It was grotesque and has left us all with a painful image of a
blatant disregard of a fellow human being. The incident sickened me — sickened the nation and left millions of people infuriated with the total disregard for human life,” he said.
McKenna recently spoke with his officers as well as police chiefs across Connecticut, all of whom “feel disgust, sadness, remorse and guilt.”
He strongly criticized the actions of the Minneapolis officer who placed his knee on Floyd’s neck for about 8 minutes, according to video recorded at the scene, and said the officers who stood by should be held accountable for their actions.
“The acts are despicable and 100 percent inexcusable,” McKenna said in the video.
Florsheim, McKenna, state Sen. Matthew Lesser, state Rep. Quentin Phipps, Conner and other dignitaries attended a peaceful march down Main Street Saturday attended by some 750 people, meant to draw attention to recent incidents of racial injustice and provide a forum for discussion.
“In many ways, Saturday’s protest was a spontaneous protest and demonstration in solidarity with the ones happening across the country in response to the death of George Floyd and others,” Florsheim said Tuesday.
Larry McHugh, president of Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, also issued a statement on recent events, saying his organization stands with the country in condemning the circumstances surrounding Floyd’s death.
“The chamber has had a long record of being a steadfast leader and embraces inclusivity in every aspect of business, life and community. Racism occurs in many forms and should not be tolerated. We need to stand up together, work together, talk together to unite each other as brothers and sisters no matter what a person’s race or gender or profession,” McHugh wrote.
The chamber denounced “the violence and destruction that has marred the message of the protesters and damaged many businesses and communities,” he said.
In a two-page letter from Conner and Florsheim June 1, the two promised to ensure any further demonstrations remain incidentfree.
“It was at some times heated, but at all times peaceful,” the letter reads.
“It made two things clear to us as leaders of the community: Middletown is making positive change and Middletown must still do more.”
The dynamics of protests and police interaction “have shaken our nation to its core in these last few days. Our community — with its compassionate spirit and collaborative approach — is also uniquely positioned to address them in a manner that moves us closer to justice,” the men wrote.
Superintendent of Schools Michael Conner, who is black, spoke to the crowd Saturday about his own fears.
“When I leave my house every day, I don’t feel safe. I worry about if I’m coming home to my family. It doesn’t matter if I have a suit on, doesn’t matter if I have an education, they don’t see that.
“All they see is my color,” he added.
A planned demonstration in which participants intended to walk along the sidewalks on both sides of the Arrigoni Bridge connecting the city to Portland was canceled by the organizer who posted it on Facebook shortly after she announced the event.
Former Portland library director Mary Flood said she reversed the decision in favor of a peaceful event in Portland at Riverfront Park on June 19, known as Juneteeth, or Freedom Day, a celebration of the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Texas were told about their freedom.
Erica Hunter, who pulled together Saturday’s march, also is planning June 19 celebration during a march from Rapallo Avenue to the South Green via Main Street in a similar demonstration to Saturday’s. However, this time a committee has been formed to set parameters for the demonstration. “The ramifications of the tragedy still live with us. That’s why we’re having the conversation hundreds of years later,” Florsheim said.
Going forward, Conner and the mayor said they will take into consideration the “concerns of the people who have a reason to protest.”
They also promised more transparency, better communication and outreach. That plan includes establishing partnerships with the Middletown Racial Justice Coalition, Common Council, Board of Education and Human Relations Commission.
The mayor hopes other forums such as Saturday’s will continue to take place. “I heard people celebrating the fact we were together, but I also heard people protesting.”
“Juneteenth will have the tenor of a celebration because of the celebratory occasion, but it’s celebrating the end of a tragedy and the ramifications of that tragedy are still with us,” Florsheim added.
In reaction to a 1,300signature Change.org petition, Florsheim and McKenna announced on Facebook June 1 that the “Thin Blue Line” flags which flew at Middletown police headquarters have been taken down.
The blue flag and stripe are “a meaningful expression to honor fallen officers.” However, he worried that some may perceive the symbol as “divisive and disrespectful.”
Meanwhile, McKenna promised change is on the horizon.
“We are devastated, but we are also determined. Together, we can make our community stronger, safer, and more just for ourselves and our children. Because we can, it is our duty that we do,” he said.