Demonstrations and protests are being held in multiple Connecticut cities and towns on Saturday to protest racial injustice after the death of George Floyd.
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.
Hartford
There are several protests planned in Hartford on Saturday.
One protest entitled "No Lives Matter Until Black Lives Matter: Protest for Our Future" began at 10 a.m. Event organizers said on Facebook that they are holding a peaceful march from Pope Park to the Capitol Building. While at the Capitol Building, event organizers said they plan to demand change.
Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Hartford chanting "Black Lives Matter" and "No justice, no peace."
Organizers demanded the demilitarization of American police forces, the reduction of funds within local police departments and establishing a civilian-police review board to oversee police misconduct.
Local
"The reason why we're demanding such reform for police departments is because they were initially founded on principals of racism and oppression," senior at the University of Connecticut, Josh Wojtyna, said.
Another march began at 10:20 a.m. and is entitled "March With and for Our Young Kings." It took place at the Global Communications Academy.
There is also a Silent March of Black Female Attorneys of Connecticut, according to a Facebook post. It started at 11 a.m. at Bushnell Park at the Jewell Street entrance to the steps of the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Black Women Attorneys of Connecticut gathered on the steps of CT's Supreme Court to participate in a silent sit-in. The group marched from the Bushnell Street to the courthouse.
The attorneys said they are fighting for civil rights for all and stand on the idea of "the evidence speaks for itself."
Black Lives Matter protesters joined the silent protest with the attorneys and paused for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the total amount of time that former police officer Derrick Chauvin had his knee on 46-year-old George Floyd's neck.
Trumbull
In Trumbull, there was a protest at 11 a.m. meeting at the gazebo at Trumbull Town Hall.
Manchester
Protesters in Manchester met at Town Hall at noon and listened to speakers.
After that, event organizers said they were marching to the Manchester Police Department, where there were additional speakers.
Naugatuck
In Naugatuck, protesters held a peaceful protest. They met at the Naugatuck Green at noon and then walked towards the police station around 12:30 p.m.
East Lyme
A peaceful rally and vigil honoring George Floyd was held in East Lyme. There were multiple speakers expected to participate. The event began at noon at Samuel M. Peretz Park at Bridebrook.
New London
A protest at the Whale Tail in New London began at 12:30 p.m.
Old Lyme
Participants are marched from the Town Hall to the Congregational Church at 1 p.m.
Old Lyme Emergency Management said the Resident State Trooper has made additional preparations to address whatever may happen, including the possibility of outside protesters coming.
West Haven
There is a peaceful protest and march entitled "Connecticut Against Police Brutality" planned in West Haven.
The protest is to demonstrate solidarity and speak out for justice, according to event organizers. It will began at West Haven City Hall at 1 p.m. with some speeches and then went to the West Haven Police Department.
Greenwich
A rally for justice is being held in Greenwich to honor George Floyd.
Event organizers said they are uniting against systemic criminal injustice and systemic racism and are standing up to protect first amendment freedoms of speech and peaceful assembly.
The event will begin at Greenwich Town Hall at 2 p.m.
Meriden
A peaceful protest was held on the Meriden Green.
Event organizers said the protest began at 4 p.m. and is against police brutality and systemic racism in communities.
People were mostly dressed in black t-shirts, symbolic of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The opening speaker made some powerful remarks saying, “Change MUST occur.” “Voices must be heard.” He urged the people to make their presence felt and take power and he explained the way to do that is by voting.
