Local leaders in New Britain have been reacting to the news that a jury has convicted former police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd.
“Today was a hard day for a lot of people,” said Democratic Mayoral candidate Veronica T. DeLandro, “as many of us waited in anticipation on the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd.”
“I was extremely pleased with todays verdict of former police officer Chauvin,” said Democratic Mayoral candidate Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25). “Finally some accountability!”
“What happened to George Floyd should never happen to anyone, ever,” said DeLandro. “While today’s decision may bring some form of comfort and accountability, it is in no way an end to justice. We as a community, and as a nation must continue to demand justice for those who died at the hands of police brutality while working to reform policing so residents feel protected and safe.”
Community activist and Democratic Mayoral candidate Alicia Hernandez Strong said that she welcomes the verdict but said that, “the reality is, a conviction is not going to stop police from being violent to Black and Brown people, a conviction is not going to undo over two hundred years of systemic racism and violence against Black and Brown people in this country.”
The killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, and other police violence by police against People of Color sparked vigorous protests against systemic racism in the nation in 2020, including in New Britain. In what was called, “a new revolution,” perhaps two thousand people marched through the streets of New Britain on Sunday, May 31, 2020, demanding equity and changes to end systemic racism and violence.
That protest led to community organizing and activism and calls in New Britain for state and local legislation to change policing. A new state police reform was approved, with the support of New Britain Democratic legislators Sen. Rick Lopes (D-6), then a state representative, Rep. Bobby Sanchez and Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26).
Rep. Bobby Sanchez said that, “I proudly voted for the police accountability bill last year along side my colleagues in the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and fellow Democrats. We must hold police accountable for their actions and I hope that this verdict will send a message nationwide to all lawmakers in our country that the time has come for a National police accountability bill.”
New Britain activists pressed for the creation of a strong community review board for the New Britain Police, provided for under the new state police reform law, but City Council Republicans voted down a strong police review board in a Council committee.
But, Rep. Bobby Sanchez said that, “I am still upset that our Mayor has not taken this seriously and has not put forward a civilian review board,” adding that, “the one they put forward in committee was very weak and died in that committee.”
Before running for Mayor, Strong had been the President of the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, which was organized as part of the 2020 summer of protest. The Coalition advocated for the state police accountability legislation, the local community police review board and other policies in a People’s Agenda, proposed in coalition with the Black Ministerial Alliance and the People’s Coalition of Central Connecticut.
“A conviction is not going to stop police from arresting our kids in schools,” Strong added, “a conviction is not going to cause budget reallocations so that we can provide for our communities.”
Rep. Manny Sanchez (D-24) said that he is, “Praying for the Floyd family. Their courage and conviction led the way for the entire world.”
“This is a bittersweet moment,” said Rep. Manny Sanchez. “Justice was served but we are far from done. Our youth and generations to come depend on it.”
“No justice. No peace,” Rep. Manny Sanchez added.
The New Britain Progressive was not able to find comments from Republican Mayor Erin Stewart on the verdict. The New Britain Progressive has a standing request to Stewart’s office to share press comments she makes with the New Britain Progressive, and did not receive comments from Stewart.
