This blog post takes a look at a Hartford vigil that spiraled into chaos after an ICE officer killed Renee Good. The post touches on the ongoing investigation, what Connecticut leaders are saying, and the bigger debate swirling around protest, public safety, and federal immigration enforcement.
Peaceful Vigil in Hartford Draws Hundreds
Hundreds of people from all over Connecticut showed up in Hartford to honor Renee Good. Her death at the hands of an ICE officer has left many feeling outraged and heartbroken.
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Folks traveled from New Haven, Bridgeport, New Britain, West Hartford, East Hartford, and Bloomfield. They stood together, united in grief and demanding accountability.
The vigil started quietly. People lit candles, prayed, and listened to speakers who focused on nonviolence and solidarity.
Organizers said the event was meant to mourn Good’s death and push for transparency from federal authorities. Many in the crowd hoped their voices would carry, but they didn’t want things to get out of hand.
Confrontation Near Federal Building Escalates
As the night went on, things took a turn. A group of protesters headed over to the other side of a nearby federal building.
City officials said dozens of people walked into the street, thinking they could stop the removal of an immigration detainee.
That’s when things got messy. A car hit a woman, knocked her down, then sped off. In another moment, someone hurled an object at a van and smashed a window.
At least six people got sprayed with pepper spray by someone wearing a mask. The whole scene turned confusing and tense in a hurry.
Multiple Incidents Now Under Investigation
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said the city’s police and the Department of Homeland Security are digging into the hit-and-run, the pepper spray attacks, and the property damage.
He called each one an unsolved crime and said they’re still trying to figure out who drove the vehicles and who used the pepper spray.
Mayor Questions Federal Cooperation
Mayor Arulampalam sounded pretty doubtful about how much help federal agencies are offering. DHS says it’s started an internal investigation, but the mayor said the city hasn’t gotten much info.
He also took aim at the Trump administration. He argued that federal rhetoric and enforcement have made violence more likely. Arulampalam pointed out that Hartford and other Connecticut cities, like Stamford and Norwalk, have tried to keep people safe while still protecting the right to protest.
Blumenthal and Lamont Weigh In
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal supported the city’s response and condemned Renee Good’s killing. He mentioned a pattern of excessive force by ICE and Customs and Border Protection, saying he and other lawmakers have flagged this in Congress.
Governor Ned Lamont urged everyone to keep protests peaceful. He warned that even a few violent acts could distract from the bigger message and give the feds an excuse to crack down harder.
Lamont said communities from Hartford to Waterbury and Danbury deserve both justice and a sense of calm. It’s tough to argue with that, honestly.
Activists Urge Nonviolent Dissent
Many local activists and organizers didn’t want to speak publicly right after the incident. They said they weren’t sure how the confrontation even started.
City leaders and lawmakers agreed on one thing: violence takes away from what protest movements are really about.
Officials urged Connecticut residents to stay involved and let investigators figure out what happened. As people across the state think about the events in Hartford, leaders keep urging peaceful dissent and respect for human life.
Here is the source article for this story: After ICE protest, Hartford police launch investigation
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