East Haven Police 'Honored to Stand With' Protesters Friday

EAST HAVEN, CT — A peaceful Black Lives Matter protest is scheduled to be held at noon on Friday at the East Haven Town Green.

In a statement, East Haven police lieutenant Joseph Murgo said the East Haven Police Department stands with protesters and supports their mission.

"We, like you have seen the media’s portrayal of these events, and while the majority of them have been peaceful, the ones that seem to reach our tv screens and time lines are not," Murgo said. "We want to assure our residents that we have been in touch with the organizers of this event and are honored to STAND WITH THEM and not against them."

Murgo implored East Haven residents to support protesters' mission.

"Growing up is hard to begin with. Growing up black in America is even harder," he said. "History shows that to be true. The events that unfolded last Monday show that so much more can be done to improve the dialogue that exists between a police force and the community they are expected to protect and serve."

Several area police departments have spoken up in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and peaceful protests, including in East Haven.

"We encourage and support this peaceful protest on Friday and will be there every step of the way," Murgo said. "We encourage our residents to do the same."

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