Stamford Police Show Support For Peaceful Protesters

STAMFORD, CT — A day after protesters gathered in front of the department's headquarters, Stamford Police expressed their support of the peaceful demonstration on social media. In a Facebook post Monday, the department said they were proud of all who participated in Sunday's protest, as well as the department and Chief Timothy Shaw.

The peaceful demonstration was sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and deaths of other minorities at the hands of law enforcement. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"We are proud of our chief, our police department and all the protesters who conducted themselves passionately, but peacefully [Sunday]," police said on Facebook. "Protesters were able to demonstrate their voices professionally and with dignity."

Included in the post was a picture of Shaw kneeling alongside protesters during a moment of silence.

"We stand together, united, and believe that there's no place for discrimination and police brutality in America," police said.

See also: Protesters March Through Stamford, Gather At Police HQ: Report

In a series of tweets Sunday afternoon, Erin Kayata, a reporter for the Norwalk Hour, posted photos and videos of the hundreds of protesters 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 could also be seen present in areas where the protesters marched and gathered, including a few officers in gear on the department's roof.

Once gathered outside the department's headquarters, the protesters continued chanting and some made speeches. Shaw could be also seen in a video expressing his support for the demonstration and a desire to "move forward."

According to a recently created "Justice For Brunch" Instagram page, the Sunday protest was scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the typical time period when people gather for brunch.

"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 separate post on the Instagram page Saturday, participating protesters were reminded of the demonstration'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.

Another post asked participants to wear a face mask, and many of the protesters in the photos and videos posted by Kayata, as well as police officers and Shaw, could be seen wearing their masks.

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."

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

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 protesters 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."