Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

Thousands in New Haven march for racial justice

  • Justice
  • by Thomas Breen, Maya McFadden & Courtney Luciana | New Haven Independent
  • June 5, 2020
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

New Haven Independent

Kharisma Redding in crowd outside police HQ: “This is every black princess’s dream come true.”

New Haven — Led by young people chanting “Money for schools not for police,” a crowd took off from the Green Friday for a Black Lives Matter march against police violence.

It was the latest protest in New Haven — and around the nation — sparked by the killing of African-Americans by law enforcement, most recently the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Before the march began, members of the Citywide Youth Coalition read a list of demands that included switching $33 million of police department funding to schools and social needs; eliminating school resource officers; “ending the triple occupation of New Haven” by Yale, Hamden, and New Haven police. (Read about the full list of demands here.)

“Y’all are amazing. Look at this city!” declared Ala Ochumare of Black Lives Matter. “This is a peaceful uprising. This is not a riot. We are out here demanding our liberation for all people.”

Veteran protest organizer Norm Clement urged those in the crowd to write the phone number 203-896-7221 on their arms in case they get arrested. The number is for the National Lawyers Guild. “They will contact the CT Bail Fund. And we will come and get you,” he said.

Then, after a moment of silence, the crowd took to Elm Street and travelled down State Street and points beyond. It appeared that hundreds were turning into thousands of marchers.

By the time it reached Cafe Nine at State and Crown, the line of marchers extended back to Elm Street. “That’s how big this movement has grown!” Ochumare declared as marchers up front sang “We’re going to be all right!,” danced in place, and waited for others to catch up.

Thomas Breen :: New Haven Independent

Board of Education student member Lihame Aroumas  read aloud the Citywide Youth Coalition’s rally demands, which includes the prosecution of officers who have killed civilians with the “full weight of the law.”

“We don’t leave nobody behind!” declared Youth Coalition organizer Addys Castillo. “We’ve got plenty of time! … We’re going to stay here and take up all the space we want to take up.”

Yale medical students stood outside the closed nightclub to distribute face masks to marchers.

“Hands up…” a call-and-response chant began as the march resumed toward the police station …

“… don’t shoot!”

The head of the march arrived outside the Union Avenue police headquarters shortly before 4 p.m. Ochumare called forward “white folks and marshals” to plan next steps. The strategy was to put white people up front and throughout the crowd so they would share in any attacks.

“Use your privilege!” called one marcher.

Unlike at a protest Sunday, the marchers were not greeted by a phalanx of officers guarding the platform by the station’s entrance. A tent was set up. And off to the side stood Police Chief Otoniel Reyes and his assistant chiefs.

Amid speeches, Ochumnare reminded the crowd that this was a youth-led peaceful protest. She directed “rabble-rousers” with different agendas to leave.

“This has been a dream come true. This is like every black princess’s little dream coming true,” said Kharisma Redding, who grew up in New Haven, as she joined in the chanting outside the police station. “We are for the liberation of our people. We are for the freedom of our people. People like me, our ancestors never stopped telling us what the truth was. We belong here. I know who I am. I know who we are. I’m here.”

Board of Education student member Lihame Aroumas  read aloud the Citywide Youth Coalition’s rally demands gain, including prosecution of officers who have killed civilians with the “full weight of the law.”

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas Breen, Maya McFadden & Courtney Luciana | New Haven Independent

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Few tenants facing eviction have an attorney. Top lawmakers are poised to change that.
by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Legislation that would provide tenants facing eviction the "right to counsel" is a top priority for legislative leaders.

Equity issues dominate hearing on Lamont’s marijuana bill
by Kelan Lyons and Mark Pazniokas

The administration's testimony took up the hearing's first five hours. More than 130 people are signed up to speak.

Three weeks into COVID-19 vaccinations, DOC has vaccinated 10% of inmates, 40% of staff
by Kelan Lyons

Fewer than 850 incarcerated people had been vaccinated as of Feb. 22.

Judiciary Committee hears testimony on changes to last summer’s police accountably bill
by Kelan Lyons

One police chief said they need more time to train officers on new use-of-force rules.

Price tag for state police at Capitol non-protest: $125,000
by Dave Altimari

The National Guard also spent $122,000 in overtime to protect the Capitol and other buildings during that week.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion The Board of Regents’ changes must not shortchange its students or faculty
by Carrie Andreoletti, PhD

As a university professor and a lifespan developmental psychologist, I tend to approach my work from a developmental perspective. This means I aim to foster a lifelong love of learning and to help others find a sense of meaning and purpose, as well as confidence in their ability to reach their goals. My approach to higher education is shaped by my desire to provide the best possible education for my students. This is why the recent Board of Regents’ proposed changes at the four state universities have me worried.

Opinion How to close schooling opportunity gaps created by the pandemic
by Carol Gale

We ask school district leaders to trust your public servants whose daily work life involves assessing student needs and planning or modifying instruction to meet those needs. Listen to their voices, as we have, and allocate precious resources on interventions that will offer increased opportunities for Hartford students to succeed.

Opinion A new guide for schools: How to work with families this spring
by Michael Arrington and Erika Haynes

With months of remote and hybrid learning to go, families and educators continue to adapt and innovate to meet the moment. Since August, we’ve spoken with hundreds of parents, caregivers, family support groups, educators, and students across Connecticut and the country about things things that have worked --strategies, big and small, that have made this time more manageable and helped children learn and stay connected with peers.

Opinion Housing is a human right
by Tenaya Taylor

Nonprofit Accountability Group is a queer- and trans-led group based in Hartford that is dedicated to creating racial equity by directing resources to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and disabled children and families. NAG was founded in 2020 as an organization with a transformative approach to implementing nonprofit accountability by creating relationships within the community, nonprofits, and their funders.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO