Protesters March Through Stamford, Gather At Police HQ: Report

STAMFORD, CT — Videos of a large group of protestors marching through Stamford began circulating on social media Sunday. The peaceful protest, sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and deaths of other minorities at the hands of law enforcement, began at the Harbor Point boardwalk and made its way to the Stamford Police Department.

According to a recently created "Justice For Brunch" Instagram page, the protests were scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the typical time period when people gather for brunch. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"We will be marching during the brunch hours of a very affluent area [of Stamford]," a post on the Instagram page reads, "an area where many do not see the day to day struggles of the black community. We are here to make your average Sunday brunch uncomfortable. We will not be silent."

In a series of tweets Sunday afternoon, Erin Kayata, a reporter for the Norwalk Hour, posted photos and videos of the hundreds of protestors making their way through the city, carrying signs and chanting things like "I can't breathe" and "justice for brunch."

Officers from the Stamford Police Department can also be seen present in areas where the protestors marched and gathered, including a few officers in gear on the department's roof.

Once gathered outside the department's headquarters, the protestors continued chanting and some made speeches.

Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw can be also seen in a video expressing his support for the demonstration and a desire to "move forward."

See also : Thousands Protest In CT Over Death Of George Floyd: Live Updates

Mayor David Martin also released a statement late Sunday afternoon regarding the peaceful protests.

"Police brutality against people of color has gone on far too long in our country," Martin said in a prepared statement. "It demands clear action on the state and federal level, but it begins with grassroots efforts. The organizers of Stamford's protest today were resolute in peacefully demonstrating their outrage at the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd in Minneapolis."

Martin also expressed his support for the Stamford community, as well as Shaw.

"Although the reason for today's gathering is tragic, I am very proud of Stamford's community for quickly uniting around a common goal of better treatment for people of color who are all too often treated unfairly in our country," Martin said. "I am also grateful they provided Police Chief Tim Shaw an opportunity to speak at today’s protest and participate in an eight-minute kneel of silence to respect the memory of George Floyd."

In a post on the Justice for Brunch Instagram page Saturday, participating protestors were reminded of the protest's peaceful nature.

"We are here to disrupt, not destruct," the post reads. "We do not and will not condone...looting and violence. We must be above all that."

The post also asked anyone showing symptoms of the coronavirus not to attend.

"As much as we appreciate and look forward to your support, we care more about the health and well-being of you and all attendees," the post reads.

A separate post also encourage protestors to "please make sure to wear a face mask." Many of the protestors in the photos and videos posted by Kayata, as well as police officers and Shaw, can be seen wearing masks.

Protests over Floyd's death began after he died while being forcibly arrested on Memorial Day by Minneapolis police. The protests later spread to major U.S. cities including Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and now here in Connecticut this weekend. Fired police officer Derek Chauvin, the officer seen in a viral video with his knee of Floyd's neck, has been arrested and is charged with third-degree murder.

The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery in coastal Georgia, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky., and Floyd sparked a movement for justice across the country. While protestors mobilized in Connecticut, numerous local law enforcement agencies and groups issued statements condemning the actions by police that led to Floyd's death.

On Friday, Shaw posted a statement regarding Floyd's death on the department's Facebook page.

"The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis is very disturbing and there is no excuse for the actions of the officers," Shaw said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to family of George Floyd as well as the people of Minneapolis during these trying and tragic times. I would like to assure the residents of Stamford that we are just as disappointed as you are and do not want the behavior of those officers to affect the relationship we have built within our community. We will continue to hold ourselves to the highest standard."