An Evening of Continuing Activism

Activism continued in the community on change to end racist inequality and violence two days after Sunday’s historic protest in New Britain.

Perhaps two thousand people took the streets in New Britain in the rally and march on May 31, 2020, calling for real change 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.

In Tuesday, June 2nd, there were meetings held in which activists and community leaders talked about plans for next steps in building a future free of racism, racist violence and inequality.

United States Representative Jahana Hayes (D-5) and other leaders spoke at a Virtual Town Hall Conversation held by the NAACP New Britain Branch to start discussions on a New Britain Black Community Agenda.

More than one hundred people participated in the online event, held on both Zoom and Facebook. Speakers included Rev. Samuel Blanks, Pastor of Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church, and Rev. Dr. John W. Walker, Pastor of Saint James Missionary Baptist Church.

Rep. Hayes discussed how historical moments that expose systematic racism make some people in the country uncomfortable that the racism is being discussed.

Saying, “Black lives matter,” Rep. Hayes said, has put some people in the defensive stance. But, she said, it is important to say, because of specific things that happen to the African-American community.

Rep. Hayes talked about violence, such has the killing of Floyd, being the tip of the iceberg of deeper inequities in society. She discussed causes of trauma people experience including food insecurity, lack of housing and lack of access to health care.

Racist systems, Hayes, said are structural and systemic. She said that it is not just up to Black people to solve the problem of racism, that is is up to everyone.

Ald. Manny Sanchez (D-AL), the Democratic Leader on the City Council, discussed measures he believes that the city should pursue to address systemic racism.

Ald. Sanchez said that the city needs to focus on the role of the city’s Human Rights office. He said that the city should pursue recruitment of a more diverse police force – one that reflects the demographics of the city.

Ald. Sanchez said that Council members intend to propose the creation of a civilian review board for the New Britain Police.

Ald. Colin Osborn (D-2) said that it is important for the city to admit that racism does exist. He said that it is important to call out racism, pointing out that it will continue if it remains unchallenged.

But, Ald. Osborn said, Sunday’s march was a sign that city is ready to embrace diversity.

Community activist Chris Porcher talked about having deeper conversation about what diversity means. He discussed having more diversity among teachers, department heads and people in other positions of power.

Porcher discussed historical trauma and generational trauma from racist systems. He added that the effect of seeing the killing of Floyd, “does not just go away,” saying that what happened to Floyd, “could be me, my brother or my son in the future.”

Veronica T. DeLandro was the Moderator of the online event, and the event panel was also joined by State Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25).

A “Ride for Unity” event was also held on Tuesday, starting in Willow Brook Park, against racism. That event began at 5:00pm.

Later, a meeting was held to continue discussions for change after Sunday’s #PeoplesMarch. Bishop Rha-Sheen Brown, of Right Now Ministries, challenged those in attendance on Sunday to continue the momentum of the protest by participating in building practical change in the city.

Bishop Brown convened the meeting at Right Now Ministries, where a crowd gather to plan next steps.

Tre Brown, who was principal organizer for the May 31st #PeoplesMarch, encouraged people to continue to work to organize. “We are the future,” he said.

Tre Brown and other activists spoke about demands to be made for change. Those in attendance decided to continue holding organizing meetings.

After the meeting, many in attendance joined others at the Darius Miller Bandshell in Walnut Hill Park for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of a long list of Black people killed in racist violence by police officers and others.

At the emotional event people spoke spontaneously about lifetimes of discrimination, and their admiration for the young people protesting and organizing for change.

Tre Brown and Bishop Brown read the names of people who had been killed and the circumstances of many of the cases, including many cases in which those responsible for their killing were not convicted or charged.

As names were read, the vigil attendees said, of each of those who had been killed, that their lives mattered.

“It shouldn’t have to be like this” Tre Brown said. “The time is now. Enough is enough.”