Hi John —

I’m Erick Russell, Vice Chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party. Today is Juneteenth, and all of us at CT Dems are reflecting on the significance of this day and the transformation that is currently taking place across this country.

For those who don’t know, Juneteenth is the longest running national commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Since 1865, every June 19th has been a celebration of Black Americans and their perseverance in the face of injustice.

As we all know, Black Americans are still fighting for their lives, families, and communities to this day. Throughout this month, sustained mass protests have erupted nationwide, in big cities and small towns alike, to demand a permanent end to the systemic oppression and murder of Black Americans at the hands of police.

The video of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis is just the latest example of our nation’s long history of brutalizing Black Americans. The injustices that we are now marching against have been here for centuries, and we must fight to make 2020 the year when it all began to permanently change.

Already, these protests have resulted in real change taking place throughout the country — from symbolic acts like the dismantling of racist statues, to the passage of concrete legislation to transform policing and address the systemic racism present throughout so many American institutions.

In Connecticut, Governor Lamont has signed an executive order to ban chokeholds, require police officers to step in when they witness excessive force from other police, demilitarize Connecticut’s police force, and require body cameras and dash cams for all police.

And soon, the Connecticut legislature will take on the issue of transforming policing in our state through a special legislative session.

John: we must demand action. Together, we can achieve justice for all, but we can’t wait any longer to act. In this historic moment in American history, please join Connecticut Democrats in standing against systemic racism by taking whatever action you can to demand justice.

Here is a list of upcoming protests against racial injustice that are taking place in Connecticut today and in the days ahead. If you are able to, please make plans to safely attend one of these important protests.

Join A Protest

Please stay safe by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing by staying a minimum of 6 feet from others in accordance with Connecticut’s latest guidelines, and looking out for each other.

Thank you,

Erick Russell
Connecticut Democratic Party Vice Chair