White Supremacists Rally Outside Connecticut Police Station, Condemned by Mayor

A group of white supremacists rallied outside the Danbury, Connecticut police station Saturday night, displaying hateful rhetoric and signs, an event that was quickly condemned by city officials. The demonstration occurred in response to the city's recent decision to allow noncitizens to join the police force.

Approximately a dozen individuals, many masked, gathered outside Danbury police headquarters. Video footage shared online showed the demonstrators holding a large banner that read “Keep New England White” and engaging in Nazi salutes. They were also heard chanting “white power.”

The group identified itself as Northeast Action, according to information displayed on their banner and a screenshot of their apparent Telegram channel shared by Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves. The Telegram post reportedly criticized Danbury for its diverse population and its decision to permit certain noncitizens to become police officers.

The Danbury City Council had voted the previous Tuesday to allow permanent legal residents and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, also known as Dreamers, to be hired as police officers.

Mayor Alves issued a strong condemnation of the protest, stating that “there is no place for hate, racism or white supremacy in” the community. He emphasized Danbury's strength derived from its diverse population, composed of people from across the country and around the world.

The Danbury Police Department stated they were unaware of the protest until after it had concluded. No officers interacted with the demonstrators. Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour affirmed that the demonstrators were not affiliated with the department and reiterated the department's commitment to serving everyone within its jurisdiction, adding that they "do not support or condone the actions of this group or of any individuals, groups, or organizations that promote hate or exclusion in this or any community.”