COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE HARTFORD 17 - MORAL MONDAY !!

Official Hartford Action Press Statement

Press Conference in Support of The Hartford 17

at Hartford Superior Court House

Wednesday, June 17, 2015     8:30am

 

 

Good morning. My name is Derek Hall, a founding member of the community organizing group Hartford Action and life-long resident of this city.

 

I am honored to be here this morning to stand in solidarity with The Hartford 17. They have joined a long and powerful legacy of non-violent protesters willing to be arrested in their demand for justice. These seventeen brave individuals, along with hundreds of other protesters, came out to support the Moral Monday CT Black Lives Matter demonstration. They disrupted traffic and business as usual, bringing  awareness and visibility to oppression that still exists in our society to publically proclaim that Black Lives Matter.

 

As we stand here in front of this court house in downtown Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, the Constitution State, we must pause and consider the history of resistance in the fight for justice. We are bound not just by this history, but by an overwhelming moral obligation to ensure that all people are able to pursue lives of happiness free from the fear of bondage and destruction. When our liberty has been compromised—as is the case for so many black and brown communities across this country—we must speak out against injustice.

 

The Hartford 17 have done just that. They stood together: facing traffic, public misunderstanding and even arrest, proclaiming that Black Lives Matter. Too many in our community are refused access to quality education; too many have been victimized by lack of job opportunities leaving little options other than alternative “criminal” economies; too many have been economically and socially railroaded into prison systems—too many have been beaten and killed. Clearly, too many in our society do not understand the value of black lives.

 

In true patriotic, freedom fighter form The Hartford 17, ordinary people from all different walks of life, stood up and said, “Enough,” and, “No more.” This was their action—and in doing so, they have sent out a call to each one of us. When business as usual continues, black lives continue to be criminalized and killed. The Hartford 17 have said no more to business as usual, and this disruption, however inconvenient, requires us all to stop and take notice. Do not dismiss their actions even if you do not agree with their methods.

 

The problems of racism and white supremacy are deep and complex. The solutions must be equally complex. Maybe you were one of those standing arm-in-arm in the middle of the street; maybe you were one of those frustrated as you were stuck in traffic; or maybe you were simply sitting at home confused as to why anyone would risk arrest—no matter who you are, your participation is needed in this movement.

 

Hartford Action was created to empower communities to advocate for progressive policy changes and improve the relationship between the Greater Hartford community and the criminal justice system. We stand in support of The Hartford 17and any effort which promotes the value of black and brown lives. We want to thank you for that work.

 

The Hartford 17 have called us to action. What will you do to ensure that black lives do, in fact, matter? Thank you.