Photo By Jason Edwards
Andrew Bosworth, 17, (on left) and Raymond Williams-McCoy, 20, (hand raised) march in Ansonia Thursday.
ANSONIA — About 125 people participated in a peaceful demonstration against police brutality and systemic racism while marching from Veterans Park on Main Street to the Ansonia Police Department on Elm Street Thursday.
It was the fifth such event in the lower Valley since Sunday. The events are happening as part of a nationwide public outcry that started after a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd by pressing his knee into the back of Floyd’s neck for nearly 9 minutes while handcuffed.
The people participating were from all walks of life, and were also diverse in terms of local political affiliations.
The event was billed as a “Black Lives Matter/Justice for George Floyd” rally. Its organizers included two Ansonia residents: Andrew Bosworth, 17, and Raymond Williams-McCoy, 20.
Both men addressed the crowd at Veterans Park next to Ansonia City Hall, as did Mayor David Cassetti, who wished the crowd well.
Williams-McCoy told the large crowd it was the first time he joined a protest. He was struck by the size of the crowd.
“I’ve never done this before, ever,” he said, scanning the crowd. “This means a lot to me, how many people came out here today.”
His message was to the point: “Black lives matter,” he said. “Everybody’s life matters. We’re all equal. I’m tired of us being treated differently because of our color. It’s time to stand up. I’m doing this to show that we matter. It’s not just whites, Puerto Ricans, Hispanics, we all matter to this world.”
“We’re all one race — the human race,” said Bosworth, who is finishing up his junior year at Platt Tech.
Breon Sanders of Shelton attended the rally and march with his wife, Michel’le, an organizer from a rally held Sunday in Shelton.
The Valley Indy asked Breon Sanders what message he hoped to send to the greater community.
“We have to stand up for equality. That we have to stand up against racism. And it’s not just within police. This is all over,” he said. “Our message is not ‘all police are bad.’ We’re not saying that. But we are saying let’s weed out the ones who are. Let’s stand up against the ones who are. Let’s police the police.
Breon and Michel’le were there with their four children, ranging in age from 3 to 9.
The Valley Indy asked the parents how they’ve explained the events of the last few weeks to their kids.
“There’s bad cops. There’s bad people. Not everybody is bad.” Michel’le Sanders said she tells the children. “Just because we’re a different skin tone doesn’t make us any less than anyone. You are smart, you are kind, you are wonderful, you have the opportunity to do great things in life. Don’t let this stuff from doing those things.”
Photo by Jason Edwards
The Sanders family.
Thursday’s march and rally in Ansonia was the second in two days. Also, the Cassetti administration organized a unity rally earlier in the day Thursday. Click here to read about it.
While the relationship of law enforcement and minorities has been an issue in the U.S. for generations, people interviewed in Ansonia this week felt like something different is in the air.
Alderwoman Diane Stroman represents Ansonia’s Fourth Ward. She said the fact Floyd’s killing was recorded caused the world to look at was happening.
“If it wasn’t for technology, it just would have been another day,” Stroman said. “I’m praying that there will be change. I’ve never seen as many legislators and Congresspeople speaking up about it.”
Elected leaders in attendance included state Sen. George Logan, R‑Ansonia, state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D‑Ansonia, First Ward Alderman Dan King, and Republican Registrar of Voters David Papcin.
Jorge Cabrera, a Democrat challenging Logan, marched as well.
Photo by Jason Edwards
The march.
Rochelle noted state lawmakers passed a ‘police accountability’ bill last year. Click here to read about it.
“There’s going to be another bill,” Rochelle said. “In fact (state Sen.) Gary Winfield (D‑New Haven), who is charge of the judiciary committee, is actively working on a bill. I and others have expressed to our leadership that we want a bill done in special session as soon as possible.”
A unity rally is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday on the Derby Green, where resident Lisa Brailey was already holding nightly candlelight vigils.
On social media there are flyers promoting a march Saturday over the Derby-Shelton bridge. Social media is also being used to schedule a rally this weekend on Nolan Field in Ansonia. Not all the events are ‘official’ or city sanctioned, but are residents getting together and making it happen.
“It’s been the definition of grassroots. This is a community coming together around an issue that matters to everybody,” Rochelle said.
Bosworth, one of the rally organizers, said his goal was provide a voice to people.
“This is one of the biggest problems in America it seems like. People should have a voice and share what they want to share,” he said.
