More than a dozen demonstrations and protests were held in multiple Connecticut cities and towns on Sunday to protest racial injustice after the death of George Floyd and protesters have closed both sides of a highway in Hamden and New Haven.
The demonstrations come days after a memorial service for Floyd, a black man who died after a white officer in Minneapolis pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he pleaded for air and stopped moving.
Route 15 in Hamden & New Haven
Both sides of Route 15 have reopened in Hamden and New Haven after a peaceful protest moved onto the highway.
Route 15 northbound closed at exit 59 in New Haven and Route 15 southbound closed at exit 61, according to the state Dept. of Transportation.
A crowd of people was seen in lanes of the highway near exit 60.
Hamden
Local
A protest and a march was held in Hamden on Sunday.
Demonstrators stood in solidarity with cities protesting the police murder of George Floyd, event officials said.
The protest started at the police station. After the protest, demonstrators are marching southbound on Dixwell Avenue. The march concluded in and around the area of Dixwell Avenue and Connolly Parkway.
Whitney Avenue is open in both directions to vehicles. Motorists are urged to avoid Dixwell Avenue between Evergreen Avenue and Connolly Parkway.
Caravan 4 Justice Through 6 Conn. Towns, Cities
Senator Marilyn Moore (D - Bridgeport) and Caravan 4 Justice held a demonstration on Sunday.
"The event is for women of Connecticut to peacefully demonstrate against the systematic abuse of police power perpetrated against the black community," according to a release for the event.
The demonstration began at 10 a.m. and convened through six locations throughout the state including Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, New Haven, Meriden, and Hartford. It ended with a presentation at the State Capitol.
Old Saybrook
A peaceful protest was held in Old Saybrook.
Join us for a PEACEFUL protest / march in Old Saybrook in solidarity with all of the victims of police brutality," event organizers posted on Facebook.
Main Street was closed from Route 1 to Old Boston Post Road. It has since reopened.
Windsor
The Town of Windsor held a vigil in memory of George Floyd and other black lives and people of color, according to event organizers.
"We will gather as a community while practicing social distancing to acknowledge the pain and remember the many lives lost to racism, intolerance, police brutality and other forms of violence," event organizers said.
Public officials, community leaders, clergy and citizens spoke at the event on the Town Green.
Glastonbury
A peaceful march was held in Glastonbury.
The March for Justice took place between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Attendees marched from Welles to Main Street then to Town Hall then back again, event organizers said.
Glastonbury police said there were traffic officers along the route to assist.
Manchester
A march was held in Manchester.
The march began at 12 p.m. at Charter Oak Park. It ended at the Manchester Police Department.
East Granby
There was a Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest in East Granby.
Participants were urged to park at the East Granby Senior Center and were escorted by police to the protest, where there were speeches.
East Hartford
A march for justice was held in East Hartford.
The march entitled "Peaceful March for #GeorgeFloyd" started at Krauzers East Hartford and went to the Founders Bridge.
Groton
A peaceful protest was held in Groton.
"We are continuously choosing to demand justice for all BLACK lives unjustly murdered by police and white supremacy and more. Please come out and show your support as we march and stand in solidarity with one another," event organizers posted on Facebook.
The protest began at Poquonnock Plains Park and went to the Municipal Building and back.
Weston
A protest was scheduled to take place in Weston at the Weston Library from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
