Marchers Protesting President Trump's Immigration Policy Block Streets in New Haven

Protesters opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies blocked the road on the Route 34 connector and backed traffic up near Interstate 91 in New Haven Saturday, leading several arrests, according to police.

A group of approximately 100 protesters took to the streets Saturday afternoon, at one point blocking traffic on the Route 34 connector. Local and state police responded to move the marchers to the side of the road to clear a path for traffic.

Protesters opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies blocked traffic on the Route 34 connector and backed it up near exit 1 on Interstate 91 in New Haven, according to an NBC Connecticut crew on scene.

Protesters said they wanted to make a statement against a list of grievances including concerns with the new Trump administration.

“This administration is attacking the people and this is a unity demonstration. Like we bring in the Latinos, that white people, the black, the Muslim, to work together,” said protest organizer John Lugo.

Blocking the highway is a crime and state police said the group blocked an ambulance from reaching the hospital, delaying treatment of a critically ill patient.

State police arrested Norman Clement, 66, of New Haven, who they identified as the leader of the protesters. He was charged with inciting a riot, disorderly conduct, interfering with an officer and reckless use of the highway by a pedestrian.

Clement's attorney Patricia Kane said a second man also faces charges, and a third was detained but was released without being charged.

Rallies protesting President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration continued across the country Saturday even after a federal judge blocked the order Friday and the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department announced they were not enforcing the order.

Contact Us