Statement Regarding Police Presence at Protests in Waterbury, Elsewhere

HARTFORD – People are protesting in Waterbury following the killing by Minneapolis police of George Floyd. The following is a reaction from David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut:

“People are in the streets across Connecticut right now demanding racial justice, lifting up the value of Black lives, and calling for an end to police violence. Police in Bridgeport and Waterbury have undermined health and safety by responding to peaceful protesters with riot gear and arrests, with State Police making the arrests in Bridgeport. Footage and news reports show Waterbury police in riot gear with dogs out, tackling peaceful protesters while arresting them.

We call on all police in Connecticut to follow the law, uphold the constitution, and protect public safety by respecting people’s rights to peacefully protest, and we call for police to immediately stop endangering health and safety with militarized responses and arrests. We call on State’s Attorneys in Connecticut to drop any charges that police bring against peaceful protesters and to ensure peaceful protesters are not jailed for one moment, especially during this pandemic.

We are watching, and to those protesting, we are with you.”