HARTFORD, Conn. — Faith leaders from across Connecticut descended on Hartford Friday to preach and protest police injustice following the killing of George Floyd. The clergy walked through the city streets as they weaved their way from the Union Baptist Church on Main Street to city hall where Mayor Luke Bronin committed to fly a black lives matter flag from the people’s house.
It’s was a day of prayer, protest, and peaceful resistance. It started at the Union Baptist Church for eight minutes of silence. Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell of Union Baptist Church in Hartford said, “We are supposed to stand up for justice and we are supposed to come together.“
From there they moved to Hartford PD where the rally cry began. And then to city hall where the message was delivered.
Rev. Trevor Beaford of the Union Baptist Church held up the Bible and said, “This book. Not cameras, not being on the front page of the news. But this book is why we march, we pray, we sing, we shout, we protest, we register to vote. This book!“
About 100 clergies from 38 faiths gathered to demand policy change from city leaders including an overhaul of the civilian police review board.
“So we can really diagnose the claims that are coming in but also subpoena people to come in and have real conversations,” said Pastor AJ Johnson of the Urban Hope Refuge Church in Hartford.
But that will require a new state law. Will the mayor, police, and police union commit to advocate that? Mayor Luke Bronin and Assistant Police Chief Raphael Medina said, “yes.” Officer Rinaldi, the President of Hartford’s police union said, “Not at this time.”
Pastor AJ Johnson rebutted, “You are saying...Officer Rinaldi that you don’t agree to give the residents in this city the power to do something about the problems that we are having in the police department. Is that a yes or a no?” Rinaldi replied, No, that is not it. The union at this time doesn’t have information on it but they are willing to sit down and discuss it and have dialogue on the issue.“
From the killing of George Floyd to the pushing of a protestor in Buffalo.
“My father was a lieutenant in Buffalo New York ironically for 33 years and I understand the importance of having strong police officers, but now is the time to change policies,” said Pastor Dion Watkins of Mt. Olive Church Ministries. To the photo of the President holding a bible after gassing protestors.
“How dare the faith be represented that way,” said Rev. Beaford.
Racial tensions are high. Emotions are raw and the conversation continues across the nation as action is demanded locally.
“Solidarity. Fighting for a people who have been underserved and they need our support as clergy to let them know that even people of faith stand up for justice,” said Rev. Michael David Bailey of the First Cathedral Church in Bloomfield.
The clergy also demanded that leaders meet with the Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance within 21 days to decide how to overhaul the civilian police review board to meet its mission. Currently, the board has a backlog of cases, doesn’t regularly meet with good attendance, and doesn’t have independent investigatory powers.