NEW HAVEN --Last week was a difficult time in America. The tension simmering over into with protests around the country.
In New Haven, a peaceful Black Lives Matter rally was held, and organizers made a call for no violence. It's all in the wake of the recent tragedies, like in Dallas where 11 officers were shot or Falcon Heights Minnesota or Baton Rouge Louisiana where two men were shot and killed by police in unrelated incidents.
"We stand united," Pastor Eldren Morris from Varick Memorial Ame Zion Church said Sunday at a rally in New Haven. "Black lives matter, blue lives matter."
Then on Monday, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp hosted a meeting at City Hall with other elected officials, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, as well as clergy members and police to discuss recent tragedies and ways to bring the community closer through communication and bridge gaps between police and communities of color.
Many ideas and thoughts were expressed, including support for the department which embraces community policing.
"I have to in my heart know that if I want people to feel the pride in this uniform, I have to know there are others who feel pain when they see that uniform...(and) we have to learn to see each other, we have to learn to hear each other if we want to be heard,” New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman told media after the meeting. “
"It starts with the community, and it starts with the clergy working with the police department that we've done here, understanding policing,” said Reverend James Newman, the president of the Greater New Haven Clergy Association.
"We know, based upon our experience that it works, that it's something that involves the community and the police working together to make sure that we are a safe city,” added New Haven Mayor Toni Harp.
Community leaders said the discussion needs to go deep for real resolution.
Blumenthal said Monday’s discussion should be replicated across Connecticut.
"What we saw today was a respect for each other's views, an effort to build bridges and bind wounds and that's what the nation needs right now,” said Blumenthal.
