Protesters encamped in Stamford park
STAMFORD — A group of young protesters said they plan to occupy Latham Park until city leaders adhere to several of their demands.
The activists are calling for removal of funds from the Stamford Police Department, for “demilitarization” of the police department, for more transparency about internal police investigations and for mental health care reform at Stamford Hospital’s South 1 psychiatric unit.
The encampment of about 20 tents was initially formed on Saturday afternoon, after a protest in honor of Steven Barrier, a 23-yearold Stamford man who died in police custody in October 2019.
Samantha Pleasants, a co-orga
“This is about Black Lives Matter.
This is about systemic racism. This isn’t just about police.”
Samantha Pleasants, a co-organizer of the encampment
nizer of the encampment, said some onlookers have supported the movement, while other bystanders have taken issue with the protesters’ presence and message.
“This is about Black Lives Matter. This is about systemic racism. This isn’t just about police,” said Pleasants, a white woman, who wore a “Black Votes Matter” mask.
In a list of demands, protesters are asking city leaders — including the mayor, the Board of Representatives, the police chief and the Board of Finance — to remove funds from the Stamford Police Department and reinvest that money into local schools and community programs that support under-served communities.
Organizers also are calling for police policy changes, including that leaders remove the department from the federal 1033 program, which donates surplus military gear to police departments across the nation. They are calling on the department to remove all armored vehicles.
The group is asking for a policy that officers exhaust all possible alternatives before shooting at a suspect. Police Chief Tim Shaw has said that already is a department policy.
The last time an officer shot at someone was in March 2016 when police responded to Wedgemere
Road and shot and killed a 25-year-old man. The Chief Medical Examiner determined the manner of the death was “suicide by cop” after discovering that the gun the man had pointed at police was a BB gun replica of a pistol.
There was another incident before that, in January 2016, in which a rookie officer shot at a drunk motorist who reportedly pulled a gun out of the glove compartment. The gun turned out to be a BB gun.
In December of 2010, the last time a police officer was shot in Stamford, officers with the wounded officer, Richard Gasparino, did not fire back, Shaw has said. Likewise, in July of 2019, when a suspect allegedly fired two shots at officer Bryan Cooper during a drug bust on Seaton Road, police did not fire back, Shaw has said.
Protesters also are calling on the city to investigate Stamford Hospital’s psychiatric unit, which they said does not provide adequate care for patients with mental illness.
Stamford Health leaders in a statement said they’re dedicated to providing exceptional care to all patients, and that staff deliver behavioral health services in accordance with clinical guidelines.
“As a healthcare institution, we undergo regular inspection and evaluation by many regulatory agencies and we remain in good standing with all of those organizations,” the statement said. “We also measure and evaluate patient satisfaction and comments as part of our ongoing business practices. Lastly, we’re engaged in continuous dialogue with other providers and community members to ensure that collectively, we are meeting the healthcare needs of our community.”
Stamford Police Department leaders did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
City officials from Mayor David Martin’s office would not say whether they would adhere to any of the protesters demands.
The mayor met with protesters for the first time on Monday morning and had a second meeting with the group in his office later that afternoon.
“The city has always been willing to meet with individuals and organizations interested in participating in our democratic process,” said Arthur Augustyn, spokesperson for the mayor’s office.
“The residents at Latham Park clearly have concerns about mental health support, education funding and police reform in Stamford’s community,” he said.
City officials would meet with protesters again, he said.
Police have continued to circle the park and monitor the activities of protesters but have not yet had any open dialogue with demonstrators, said co-organizer Pleasants.
She said concerned citizens and the mayor’s office have stated that protesters need a permit to occupy the Latham Park property. But the protesters said they have no intention of getting one.
“Those permits are for individuals participating in activities in the park. This isn’t an activity,” Pleasants said. “This is a form of expression and this is us protesting. So, we don’t need a permit.”
City officials wouldn’t comment on the permit situation.
Signs with messages including “BLM,” “Defund the police,” and “Justice for Steven Barrier” line the encampment. As protesters spoke in interviews Monday, cars honked their horns in support of the movement.
Some bystanders have approached the protesters to ask questions about their cause while others have started arguments, using the slogan, “All Lives Matter,” said Pleasants.
Justice Allah, 21, of Waterbury, had slept at the Stamford encampment for three days and said he had no plans of leaving. “I’m Black, so anytime I see any of the violent things that happen to my people and my kind, I just feel drawn to it,” he said.