On Tuesday August 5th, two members of Dare to Struggle – CT were arrested by New Britain Police (NBPD) at their homes for a ridiculous charge of “Breach of Peace.” NBPD ripped one of the activists out of their home, several towns over, without even allowing them the chance to put on shoes. When asked to produce a warrant, NBPD claimed they “don’t carry around warrants in case they get lost.”
In the other arrest, at least three cop cars, including two unmarked police vehicles, showed up and surveilled the activist’s house, waiting for them to leave before pulling them over. The arrest warrant applications that NBPD produced claim that these charges stem from when we were immediately kicked out from the Assembly Room food hall on Thursday, July 31st because we had homeless people with us.
These arrests occurred within an hour of the start time of the “National Night Out” event sponsored by NBPD. We had posted plans to protest this celebration, because in New Britain the cops who killed Katherine Colon and Zoe Dowdell are still employed and not facing criminal charges. We had posted plans to protest because in New Britain, homeless people are mistreated and harassed daily by these cops.
It is no coincidence that these incomplete warrants tied to an unrelated incident from several days ago, were thrown together the same day we posted plans to protest their event. During questioning, both activists were asked separately about the National Night Out event, indicating this was the true reason for their arrests. It is outrageous that warrants were even issued and unmarked cars were used for a charge as light as 2nd Degree Breach of Peace.
NBPD is trying to silence activists for speaking out against police brutality and mistreatment of homeless people. They want us to feel threatened and intimidated by their act of political repression.
To NBPD and to the owner of the Assembly Room who called the cops on us: We’re going to expose what you’re doing to us and keep exposing the brutality you put homeless and other oppressed people through in New Britain. We’re going to fight these charges, and we’re going to put you on blast in the media. We are choosing to expose and fight these charges because police shouldn’t get away with repressing activists and masses of people who speak out.
Donate to our GoFundMe to help us cover our legal expenses as we wage this campaign against NBPD repression.
Dare to Struggle 