The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) has announced that it has filed a formal Freedom of Information request with the city of New Britain.
The Coalition says that its formal request is for, “emails, text messages and other data that will illuminate why city officials failed to approve popular social justice reforms proposed by local activists.” It says that the request is made to the, “Mayor, Common Council and Police Department.”
The NBRJC say that it, “worked with other local organizations and activists to push policies that would address systemic racism in New Britain,” including the establishment of a community police review board and removal of the Christopher Columbus statue.
While those policy objectives, “were popularized in the City, with many residents writing emails and calling into Council meetings in support of these initiatives,” the Coalition says that, “Nonetheless, the Civilian Review Board died in committee and the Columbus Statue remains standing.”
In October, in a committee vote, City Council Republicans voted down a proposal that would have created a strong community police review board in New Britain. Recently, a resolution has been proposed in the Council to remove the Columbus statue, but that was referred by the Council to committee, and some have expressed concern that it, too, may also die there.
“For NBRJC, the most disturbing factor is the silence from City Hall,” the Coalition said, noting that, “The Civilian Review Board was voted down with little comment or explanation.”
“Mayor Stewart has refused to comment on whether she supports these policies,” the Coalition says, “even though her support is essential for their passage.”
This has lead the many, the NBRJC says, “to question what is happening behind the scenes.”
“After George Floyd was murdered,” said NBRJC President Alicia Strong, “Mayor Erin Stewart, Chief Chute and other city officials expressed their outrage. But Facebook posts and performative solidarity do not address the structural inequalities and racial disparities that exist in New Britain.”
Strong added, “After months of community organizing, local officials have failed to implement any meaningful policies to address these issues. Why is that? They must be held accountable.”
“For too long,” said NBRJC Vice President Victor Constanza, “the city has not worked for its people. Even though ideas are super popular within various communities, it does not get done at all.”
“Especially with the Civilian Review Board with subpoena power, people wanted it,” said Constanza, “especially our Black, Brown, and working class siblings, to feel like the police can be held accountable for horrible actions.”
“The State just passed a statewide Police Accountability Bill that allows subpoena power,” Constanza added. “What is going on in our city government?”
“The community needs answers,” said Strong.
Freedom of information requests allow anyone to ask for public documents from government agencies, including the city. But under Republican Mayor Erin Stewart, the city has charged large fees before people may gain access to that public information.
The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition says that its mission,
is to empower people in the New Britain Area to challenge racism through political education, coalition-building, electoral engagement, policy advocacy, mutual aid and direct action.
