Press Conference.

I am a volunteer on the Governor's Hate Crimes Advisory Council (I would have been there but I'm on the Cape) and this morning there was a press conference over recent bias crimes in the state.

The speakers are...

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz

DESPP Commissioner

CT State Police Lieutenant

Thompson First Selectman

Thompson Resident

State Senator

ADL Connecticut Regional Director

CT Hate Crime Advisory Council Co-Chair

State police, lawmakers speak out against increase in hate crimes

WFSB

MIDDLETOWN, CT (WFSB) - Law enforcement joined advocacy groups in Middletown on Monday morning to address the latest example of a disturbing trend.

A news conference that featured state police and other officials kicked off at 10:30 a.m. at Connecticut State Police Headquarters.

Following a recent increase in hate-related incidents, communities across the state said they are pulling together to make changes.

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Hartford Black Lives Matter mural vandalized

WTNH Ch 8

By: Braley Dodson, Jayne Chacko

June 11, 2023 

 Hartford’s Black Lives Matter mural was vandalized over the weekend, according to Mayor Luke Bronin.

The mural, which is located on Trinity Street, was created in 2020. It was in the process of being repainted.

“Whoever scrawled this swastika and message of white supremacy is a miserable, small, hate-filled person who wants us divided and afraid – but our Hartford community is united, diverse, loving, and strong,” Bronin said in a written statement. “We’re angry about this vile act of hate, but we’re not weakened by it. I went out this morning to thank the artists who have joined together to renew this mural as a beautiful expression of a community that stands together in love and mutual respect. Our police are working to find the person responsible for this hate crime, and I want that person to know that their hatefulness just made us stronger.” 

Gov. Ned Lamont sent out a statement on Sunday afternoon condemning the vandalism.

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CAIR-CT Condemns Distribution of Racist Materials in Connecticut

By Ibrahim Hooper

June 7, 2023

The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIRCT), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the distribution of racist letters in Thompson, Conn.

State troopers are investigating hundreds of “racist, hate-filled letters” were letters delivered to residents earlier this week.

“We condemn this devious attempt to promote hate and urge Americans to stand together in repudiation of all bigoted ideologies,” said CAIR-Connecticut Chair Farhan Memon.

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Update 3:00 PM

Hartford’s Black Lives Matter mural defaced with swastika, white supremacy message

Connecticut Public Radio

By Eric Aasen, Mark Mirko

June 11, 2023

The Black Lives Matter mural on Trinity Street in Hartford was defaced over the weekend with a swastika and a coded message of white supremacy, Mayor Luke Bronin said.

Artists spent Sunday working to repaint the mural, which was created in the summer of 2020.

Hartford police are investigating, officials said.

"Whoever scrawled this swastika and message of white supremacy is a miserable, small, hate-filled person who wants us divided and afraid,” Bronin said in a statement. “But our Hartford community is united, diverse, loving, and strong. We're angry about this vile act of hate, but we're not weakened by it.”

Gov. Ned Lamont said he was “beyond disgusted” by the incident.