Police say they arrested 17 protesters who were blocking an intersection in downtown Hartford.
Dozens of protesters gathered near the Old State House in downtown Hartford on Monday to call for changes to the justice system, schools, and housing.
Police said they arrested 17 protestors who stood in the intersection of a major street during afternoon rush hour, blocking traffic.
The protest was peaceful, police said, and only those who blocked the street were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. On Facebook, organizers encouraged attendees to “come with a calm mind and body.”
Rally organizers said the demonstration was in support of the Black Lives Matter movement that has grown in response to recent killings of unarmed black men by police.
Protesters held signs bearing slogans like “Know Justice Know Peace” and "I Can’t Breathe,” the latter a reference to Eric Garner, the black man who died after being placed in a choke hold by a New York police officer.
One by one, Police now escorting protestors to waiting vans. All peaceful thus far. #Hartford pic.twitter.com/oGzmOpN3Vj
— Dan Schwartz (@danielschwartz) June 8, 2015
The group Moral Monday Connecticut planned the protest. They posted on Facebook late Monday night that one of the arrested protestors had not been given her evening medication while in jail.
Two hours later, the group reported that all of the protesters had been released.
This report includes information from The Associated Press. Charlie Smart is an intern at WNPR.
