KNEELING in SOLIDARITY
Connecticut crowds gather peacefully overall amid national unrest
Sunday saw more largely peaceful protests throughout Connecticut in response to the death of George Floyd, a black man who died on Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee onto Floyd’s neck for more than 8 minutes.
Sunday’s protest sites included New Haven, Stamford, Norwalk and Waterbury, and the rallies came amid demonstrations around the country against police brutality.
There have been protests in New York City, Los Angeles, Denver, Houston and Phoenix. Some of the rallies, such as those in Minneapolis and Atlanta, have left those cities with considerable property damage.
On Sunday in Connecticut, demonstrations nonviolently closed
down portions of Interstates 95 and 84, and state Route 34 in New Haven. Municipal and state police were on standby at all of the events.
In Stamford, about 500 protesters made their way through the most crowded parts of the city, blocking traffic on Atlantic and Bedford streets. Activists chanted “justice for brunch” as they passed people dining outdoors.
The protest ended at Stamford Police Department headquarters, where protesters gave speeches about the need for justice.
The cause was more personal for many as they remembered Steven Barrier, a black Stamford man who died in police custody last year, raising questions for many.
Almost all of the protesters wore masks, for which one speaker thanked them. Stamford lost former NAACP leader and Board of Education member Jack Bryant earlier this year to COVID-19.
Stamford Police blocked off the streets to allow the protesters to march. Police Chief Tim Shaw addressed the crowd as well.
“We wanted to give you the respect you deserve,” Shaw said. “That was a beautiful ceremony. I’ve heard about silence. I will tell you this police department is not silent either. We’re disgusted as well.”
Shaw then joined the crowd in taking a knee for eight minutes in honor of Floyd and in protest of police brutality.
Nearly 1,000 protesters gathered in New Haven, where they gathered in front of City Hall, marched to and occupied portions of Route 34 and I-95 and went to the city’s police department, where some clashed with officers.
Mayor Justin Elicker said people are understandably angry and want change, adding that he feels the same way.
“I stand with the residents of New Haven and the New Haven Police to speak out against police brutality. What happened to George Floyd and what has happened to many others must stop,” Elicker said. “Chief (Otoniel) Reyes and I have been abundantly clear about our expectations, that our officers work with compassion, that our officers don’t over-police our neighborhoods, that our officers embody the spirit of real community policing.”
Elicker said any complaints of police misconduct would be investigated and hold officers accountable if action is required. He said he stood ready to talk collaboratively with protesters and the broader community to begin to address racism.
“I hope you stand ready, too,” Elicker said. “But we must have these conversations respectfully, collaboratively and peacefully. Otherwise, we can’t be successful. I urge New Haven residents with all my heart to be open to these conversations and to protest but do it peacefully. We will get through this very challenging time.”
In another protest, about 300 people walked from Connecticut Avenue, shutting down portions of that street and I-95, on the way to the Norwalk Police Department. Dozens of Norwalk police officers stood watch around the station, many wearing helmets, with protective barriers in front.
Norwalk First Taxing District Commissioner Jalin Sead and Common Council member Kadeem Roberts were among the many speakers to address the crowd.
“We need your help and we need your support,” Sead said. “We support people that support us.”
David McGuire, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, issued a statement saying police in Waterbury and Bridgeport had undermined public health and safety by wearing riot gear and arresting protesters in those cities.
“Footage and news reports show Waterbury police in riot gear with dogs out, tackling peaceful protesters while arresting them,” McGuire said. “We call on all police in Connecticut to follow the law, uphold the constitution and protect public safety by respecting people’s rights to peacefully protest, and we call for police to immediately stop endangering health and safety with militarized responses and arrests. “
McGuire said the ACLU was calling on state attorneys to drop any charges that police bring against peaceful protesters and to ensure peaceful protesters are not jailed for one moment, adding that this was especially important during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are watching,” McGuire said, “and to those protesting, we are with you.”
Gov. Ned Lamont posted a video on social media Sunday morning in which he was wearing an “I can’t breathe,”
T-shirt, echoing the garments and signs displayed by some protesters and what were reported to be among Floyd’s last words.
Video of the incident ignited outrage around the country and beyond. After that outcry began, Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was charged with murder in Floyd’s death. “I was particularly shocked that nobody tried to stop it,” Lamont said. “That nobody yelled stop — enough.”
Lamont said he was moved by comments made Saturday by Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez, who said he and his officers would have been with the demonstrators if they had the opportunity to.
“Today is Sunday, a day of reflection,” Lamont said. “Tomorrow is Monday. We get up, and fight for justice all over again.”