Perhaps two thousand people marched through the streets of New Britain on Sunday, May 31, 2020, demanding change in society to end racist inequality and violence.
The rally and march was one of many held nationwide in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis. The killing of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and other African Americans have sparked vigorous protests against ongoing racism in the nation.
The New Britain protest was led by organizer Tre Brown, Chris Porcher, the 2019 Democratic Mayoral nominee, and Bishop Rha-Sheen Brown of Right New Ministries.
Bishop Brown, before delivering the closing prayer for the demonstration, summed up the moment, calling it, “a new revolution.”
Throughout the protest, speakers talked about the injustice of Black and Latino residents having to live with the very real possibility of being harassed or killed by police officers and others.
Anguished parents spoke of the fear that their children could be killed because of the color of their skin.
Protest leaders spoke about the need for people to make their voices heard, by voting, being counted in the census and speaking up.
The protest began with a rally at the bandshell in Walnut Hill Park.
Protesters then marched to West Main Street, voicing chants, including “Black Lives Matter,” “no justice, no peace,” “I can’t breathe,” “hands-up – don’t shoot,” and others.
The march stopped at Central Park, where leaders spoke.
Marchers proceeded to Chestnut Street, and knelt in protest in front of the New Britain Police station.
The march then proceeded to Frankin Square and stopped again for more words from protest leaders in front of the Superior Courthouse.
Marchers returned down Chestnut Street, down Arch Street and onto Hart Street, where, at the crest of the hill on the street, leaders spoke again.
The marchers ended the long march with another rally at the Darius Miller Bandshell in Walnut Hill park.
Organizers spoke at the closing rally, along with spontaneous speeches from people in attendance, expressing fears and angst from lifetimes experiencing racism and hopes for economic empowerment.
At one point, Bishop Brown pulled money out his own pocket to pay one person who spoke of economic inequality an advance on pay for a job.
Ald. Kristian Rosado (R-2), the City Council’s President Pro-Tempore, spoke, but was shouted down when he suggested that the New Britain was not a place where the problems communities of color experience nationwide occur.
New Britain Police Chief Christopher Chute spoke to rally attendees, saying, to cheers, that the killing of Floyd by Minneapolis police officers was, “straight up murder.” Saying that he has not slept since he saw the video of the killing, Chute said that he is, “upset that the three other officers have not been arrested.”
When Bishop Brown challenged Chute to say that, “Black lives matter,” Chute replied, “Black lives do matter.”
At the conclusion of the rally, Bishop Brown challenged those in attendance to continue the momentum of the protest by participating in building practical change in the city. He invited people to attend a session to begin that work on Tuesday, June 2nd at 6:00pm at Right Now Ministries, which is located at 147 West Main Street.
