Today people from across the state congregated in Hartford for a solidarity march, adding their voices to the national movement protesting the deaths Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Grand juries decided not to indict police officers for causing either man’s death.
Organizers called it a “March in Solidarity: Never Forgetting Ferguson” in honor of Missouri teen Michael Brown, who was shot by Officer Darren Wilson in August. Two weeks ago a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson in Brown’s death. Marchers also reacted to this week’s news that a grand jury will not indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo for the death of Eric Garner in Staten Island.
Protesters marched for more than a mile to spread their message, chanting “hands up, don’t shoot” and “We can’t breathe.”
"We're tired of our brothers dying at the hands of police authorities who are supposed to protect and serve. Not shoot and shoot again," said Hartford resident Howard Jerome.
Aswad Thomas, one of the co-organizers, said he wanted everyone to work together to make change.
Hamden resident Adam Chambers said he was happy to see everyone come together.
“It’s great to see especially because it’s raining and cold,” he said.
Local
Attendees called for more accountability for police across the country and more transparency with grand juries. But many also praised Harford police and how they handled the march.
Many protests across the country have been taking place at night, but Hartford organizers wanted young people to be able to attend.
