The Hamden Police Department held a tribute to honor the life of George Floyd. The tribute took place at Hamden’s Town Hall.

George Floyd died in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25 after police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes. He was handcuffed and lying facedown on the street. Chauvin, who has now been fired from the Minneapolis police department, has been charged with second-degree murder. His bail was set at up to $1.25 million on Monday.

Floyd’s death has sparked protests and riots around the world. Hundreds of people were gathered together to honor Floyd on Monday, June 7 in front of the Hamden Town Hall.

The march began and ended at the Hamden Police Department. The protestors then proceeded down Dixwell Avenue, and then onto Route 15.

The Hamden Police Department sent out a press release saying, “The actions of the four Minneapolis police officers on that fateful day [May 25], do not represent the law enforcement profession or the values of our department. We are both saddened and sickened by Mr. Floyd’s death at the hands of these officers.”

Sophia Marshall, president of the Student Government Association (SGA), participated in the protest. Marshall wants to focus on racism and keep it at the forefront of SGA. She also wants to have more conversations to educate students at Quinnipiac University.

“Right now, I think we have the momentum of the university,” Marshall said. “People are angry, and I just want to say that I plan on continuing [to] be angry as the school year comes into fruition.”

Jamien Jean-Baptiste, SGA vice president for public relations, was also at the protest.

Baptiste claimed that the entire road [Dixwell Avenue] was covered by Hamden residents and people that lived in the greater New Haven area.

“It was really nice to see people of different generations and different backgrounds and races and socio-economic backgrounds,” Baptiste said.

It has been nearly two weeks since the death of George Floyd and protests are still happening around the country.

Connecticut faith leaders are fasting while occupying the steps of the State Capitol building until Gov. Ned Lamont convenes a special session of the legislature to address police brutality.

Lamont plans to work with the state legislature to ban the use of chokeholds by law enforcement in Connecticut.

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