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- Category: Current Issue
THOMPSON — Aug. 1 about 65 Thompson residents and neighbors took part in “Standing Against Racism.” The rally featured speakers, readings, poetry and local musicians. Officers of the local Windham-Willimantic NAACP branch described incidents of violence and mistreatment that are still happening across the country— and here in NE CT. Local musicians Sally Rogers & Howie Bursen, Donna Dufresne, and Maria Sangiolo, Leslie Sweetnam and Jim Stahl engaged the audience. Larry Groh Jr. spoke of his 20 years as a state correctional officer that has left him a strong advocate for education funding. He said education makes a key difference in whether noe becomes an inmate. Former Putnam police chief and CT State Representative Rick Hayes said related his experience with a family member who is black and how differently that young man was treated by police when he was victimized and reported a crime to police. After 33 years as a police professional, Hayes was present and had never before seen a crime victim questioned with such skepticism and asked if it was a case of him dealing drugs.
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