Connecticut
'Hands Off' Protest Draws Estimated 1,500 To Connecticut Capitol | CT News Junkie
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Paige Harrison Gorman, co-founder of the Connecticut chapter of the 50501, speaks at the Capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Protesters with their signs raised at the Connecticut Capitol Building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action protest. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Elizabeth Horton Sheff, a Hartford civil rights activist, speaks at the Capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong speaks at the Capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
US Sen. Richard Blumenthal stops for a picture with a protester while leaving the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action protest at the Capitol in Hartford, Connecticut. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
US Sen. Richard Blumenthal listens to another speaker at the Capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action. At right is Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz with Attorney General William Tong at left. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Protesters gather at the Connecticut Capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Protesters gather at the Connecticut Capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Protesters with their signs raised at the Connecticut Capitol Building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action protest. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Protesters with their signs raised at the Connecticut Capitol Building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action protest. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Protesters with their signs raised at the Connecticut Capitol Building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action protest. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Protesters with their signs raised at the Connecticut Capitol Building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action protest. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Protesters with their signs raised at the Connecticut Capitol Building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action protest. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Protesters with their signs raised at the Connecticut Capitol Building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action protest. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
Protesters with their signs raised at the Connecticut Capitol Building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action protest. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie -
US Rep. John Larson speaking to the crowd of protestors the Capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the “Hands Off” Hartford Day of Action. Credit: Mia Palazzo / CTNewsJunkie
HARTFORD, CT — About 1,500 protestors braved a steady April rain Saturday afternoon on the north steps of the Connecticut State Capitol, marching, chanting, and carrying signs as part of the national Hands Off Protest.
The gathering, which Capitol police estimated at about 1,500, aimed to deliver the Hands Off Protest message of the day through chants, carried a unified message delivered out loud and written on poster board:
“Hands off our healthcare. Hands off our schools. Hands off our services. Hands off our rights. Hands off our democracy.”
The rally was one of many as part of a nationwide mobilization led by the 50501 movement. Saturday’s demonstrations were organized mainly in opposition to President Donald Trump’s policy agenda and Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative, which protesters described as a sweeping campaign to weaken federal agencies, eliminate core public services, and roll back civil rights.
Organizers aimed to hold rallies in 1,200 locations across all 50 states. In addition to the Hartford rally, Connecticut protesters also gathered in New Haven, Stamford, Middletown, Guilford, and elsewhere.
“They think we’re going to get exhausted. I’m not exhausted—are you? Are you in this fight with me every day?” said Attorney General William Tong, drawing cheers as one of the openers of the Hartford rally.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, just back from an overnight Senate session, criticized recent legislative efforts in Washington.
“Every one of the amendments we offered last night to protect Medicare, Social Security, our courts, our universities, and our healthcare — every one was voted down by my Republican colleagues,” he said. “They are siding with Donald Trump and Elon Musk.”
Elizabeth Horton Sheff, civil rights leader and the named plaintiff in Connecticut’s landmark Sheff v. O’Neill court case that mandated equal access to quality, integrated public education, addressed attacks on education and democratic participation.
“What we have to realize is that without an educated populace, we have no democracy,” she said. “They want to take our hope, they want to take our joy. Sorry. Hands off.”
Lisa DelSesto of the League of Women Voters of Connecticut warned of mounting restrictions on reproductive healthcare.
“Twenty-eight states currently restrict abortion care, 13 have total bans,” she said. “Over one-third of reproductive-age women in this country live in states where healthcare is restricted. This is a human rights crisis.”
Leah Juliet, representing Equality Connecticut, focused on the rising hostility toward LGBTQ+ communities.
“There is a war being waged against queer and trans people,” they said. “It is not subtle. It is not quiet. It is violent. Our existence, our right to healthcare, our right to safety, and our ability to participate in public life are under attack.”
B. Rae Perryman, communications director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, agreed.
“When they say Project 2025, we say ‘project stay alive,’” she said.
Connecticut State Treasurer Erick Russell framed the moment as part of a generational struggle. He said the administration’s goal is to wear down public engagement.
“My father will be 83 this year. He grew up in the Deep South, in the heart of Jim Crow,” Russell said. “When I think about everything he’s seen — and what we’re seeing now — it’s clear we’re back fighting the same battles,” he said. “Every generation has a responsibility to keep this fight going. These backslides happen when we become complacent. We are not going to let that happen.
Manchester’s poet laureate, Nadia Sims, shared a spoken-word piece titled “Regular Revolutionary.”
“I don’t need to be rich. But I need to afford my mother’s insulin,” she said.
Bette Marafino, president of the Alliance for Retired Americans, shared the historical impact of Social Security.
“Before Social Security, 49% of seniors lived in poverty. Today it’s 9%. And that’s still too high,” she said.
State Comptroller Sean Scanlon thanked the crowd for showing up in the rain and acknowledged that everyone, including himself, had a reason for being there Saturday.
“My five-year-old asked me why I was going to a protest,” he said. “I get a little choked up, because the answer is him.”
Elected officials from the national to the local level rounded out the day’s speakers.
U.S. Congressman John Larson voiced his support for protecting Social Security and Medicare. Local representatives, including Gillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, Robin Comey, D-Branford, Rebecca Martinez, D-Hartford, and Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, voiced their support for continued resistance and legislative action.
“I have a very, very simple message for Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and for JD Vance,” Lesser said. “We are not going anywhere.”
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Connecticut
Joe Deko Appointed to State Legislature’s Group Studying Prepaid Funeral Contracts to Protect Consumers
- Reviewing contract structures: Examining issues related to pre-need funeral contracts and cremation service agreements.
- Strengthening oversight: Recommending stronger consumer protections and improvements to state regulation of the funeral services industry.
- Developing compensation mechanisms: Creating rules for distributing funds to affected consumers and exploring the framework for a future industry-backed guarantee fund.
Deko took to Facebook to share the news.
“I am honored to announce my appointment to the Connecticut State working group focused on reviewing and strengthening Connecticut’s prepaid funeral laws.
This important effort brings together professionals and stakeholders committed to ensuring that prepaid funeral arrangements continue to serve and protect Connecticut families while maintaining the highest standards within our profession.
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute my experience and perspective to this process and look forward to working collaboratively with fellow members of the group.
A special thank you to Senator Paul Cicarella for his confidence in me and for entrusting me with this appointment. Your support and leadership are greatly appreciated. I look forward to helping shape thoughtful policies that will benefit Connecticut families and the funeral profession for years to come.”
Connecticut
Sierra Club Connecticut, State Representatives Host Black Lungs Matter: Juneteenth Press Event – CleanTechnica
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Hartford Advocates and Community Members Gathered to Remember, Honor Path to Freedom
HARTFORD, Ct. — Today, Sierra Club Connecticut and State Representatives Minnie Gonzalez, Maryam Khan, and Jilian Gilchrist hosted Black Lungs Matter, a Juneteenth Press Conference, at the Connecticut Legislative Office Building.
The event highlighted the disproportionate impact of air pollution on Black residents in Connecticut and the broken promises that have contributed to this impact. Speakers included state representatives, public health and civil rights experts, plus local voices from Sierra Club Connecticut and the Connecticut Coalition for Economic and Environmental Justice.
The groups are concerned that Governor Lamont is no longer moving ahead with eliminating all carbon emissions from state building heating and cooling systems, as he pledged in Executive Order 21-3. The Trump Administration has also cancelled at least $50 million in federal grants for environmental justice projects across New England, a substantial portion of which was slated to come to Connecticut environmental justice organizations.
Environmental injustice refers to the fact that environmental hazards, such as air and water pollution, and the health harms that they cause, are disproportionately experienced by people of color and low income people. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, income, ethnicity, tribal affiliation or disability, in the environmental decision making which affects them.
“Just like the enslaved people in Texas were some of the last to gain their freedom, the asthmatic children of Hartford are likely to be the last to breathe clean air,” said Dr. Mark Mitchell, founder of the Connecticut Environmental Justice Leadership Collaborative. “The Governor should keep his clean air promise to Hartford, and help fight back against the environmental injustice of the Trump Administration.”
“As a Puerto Rican woman, I stand in solidarity with Black communities fighting for the right to breathe clean air and live healthy lives,” said Rep. Minnie Gonzalez, who represents the residents that are most exposed to the pollution from Capitol Area Systems.
“As a representative of Hartford, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every child in our city breathes clean air,” said Rep. Maryam Khan. “On this Juneteenth, we recognize the painful legacy of environmental injustice that has disproportionately harmed Black communities. Today, I stand with the Sierra Club in demanding action to tackle air pollution in Hartford. No child’s future should be stolen by the air they breathe.”
“Connecticut has made commitments to Environmental Justice,” said Sharon Lewis, an Environmental Justice Advocate. “Juneteenth reminds us that commitments matter only when they reach the people they were intended to serve.”
“We cannot allow the environmental justice goals and objectives in this city to be ignored,” said Attorney Cynthia Jennings. “Any investment of our tax dollars must be used to improve the health and safety of residents in every Hartford community.”
“Let’s remind the Governor that Black Americans deserve to breathe clean air in Hartford,” said Sierra Club Connecticut Organizer Alycia Jenkins. “Once justice is won for Black Americans, justice will be won for all.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
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NEW CANAAN, Conn. — An elderly driver was rescued from his vehicle after he accidentally crashed into a swimming pool in on Tuesday.
It happened just after 10:30 a.m. at the Steve Benko Pool at Waveny Park in New Canaan, Connecticut.
The Tesla plowed through a fence and set of trees before plunging into the water. Police say he was trying to park at the time.
The community pool was closed when it happened, so no one was swimming or in the path of the vehicle.
Lifeguards and first responders entered the pool to help the driver out of the vehicle.
Lifeguard Mike D’Urso, 18, described what happened.
“Me and my coworker were setting up the umbrellas when we heard a loud crash and we turned around and there was a car right in the middle of the pool,” D’Urso said.
D’Urso said the man was conscious and alert, but the vehicle began to take on water.
“The car began to sink a couple minutes in, and my concern was that the water would rise above his head and wouldn’t be able to breathe,” D’Urso said.
D’Urso and EMS workers pulled the victim out through the passenger side window. The driver said he wasn’t injured, but he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
The pool will have to be drained, cleaned and refilled. Officials hope to have it reopened by the weekend.
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