HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Demonstrators marched for hours in the Capital City on Monday demanding justice and an end to police brutality. Hundreds flocked to Hartford on Monday to protest the death of George Floyd. They were passionate but peaceful, holding signs and chanting “black lives matter” and “don’t shoot.”
Just before 6 p.m., the protestors took over part of Interstate 84 and blocked traffic; some even lied down on the roadway. They left the area around 6:30, allowing traffic to resume.
Twenty-eight people were arrested during protests over the weekend after crowds shut down part of I-84 in Waterbury.
On Monday, the group marched from Keney Park to City Hall.
“Are we demanding justice? No, we are not demanding justice, we are taking justice,” a protester yelled.
They even stopped at the police department.
Outside of the department doors, Hartford Chief of Police Jason Thody and two deputy chiefs took a knee in solidarity with protesters, saying they will not stand for police brutality and what happened to Floyd.
As they knelt, the crowd shouted “black lives matter” and cheered.
Connecticut State Police shared a moment with protesters as on I-84. Troopers knelt with the group. One even hugged and have handshakes to protesters.
Police around the state have been telling News 8 that they do not agree with the officer’s use of force and will not allow it in the state.
On Tuesday morning, The Hartford Police Department released a statement regarding the protest saying,
Yesterday, hundreds of protesters came to the city and out of their homes to protest the
tragic death of George Floyd who was killed a week ago today in Minneapolis. As a city
and as a law enforcement agency, we share in the disgust, anger, and sadness that people all over the world are feeling. Incidents such as the death of George Floyd by the hands of a police officer erode the trust and relationships that we as a police department work at strengthening each and every day.
Hundreds marched throughout our great city today holding signs and chanting. We heard you. We stood alongside you. We marched with you. Behind our masks, we chanted with you. Yesterday, the City of Hartford showed that we stand with you in protest to police brutality. In stark contrast to many other communities around the country, the protests in Hartford so far have been peaceful, ending with zero arrests, and we are grateful and proud of our city and the community we serve.
Protesters told News 8 they have events planned for the rest of the week and month until social justice happens.
