Windsor Leaders Condemn ‘Acts Of Hate’ After 3 Incidents

WINDSOR, CT — With a major nor’easter approaching Connecticut, dozens of Windsor residents from different racial, religious and cultural backgrounds gathered outside Town Hall Friday with a shared message: Hate will not be tolerated in their community.

The crowd stood alongside state lawmakers, local officials, religious leaders and community advocates following three incidents targeting Windsor’s Black and LGBTQ+ communities over the past two weeks. The gathering also drew reporters and television crews from several news outlets.

A Pride flag was torn down from First Church in Windsor, a memorial bench honoring two longtime Black community leaders was stolen from a church cemetery and a bronze plaque honoring Black Civil War veterans was removed from another monument.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, state Reps. Jane Garibay and Maryam Khan, Mayor Nuchette Black-Burke and Greater Hartford NAACP President Corrie Betts were among those who attended.

Betts said the incidents should be investigated as possible hate crimes.

“Some may choose to call these acts of vandalism, but when our history, our sacred spaces and symbols of inclusion and human dignity are targeted, we must be willing to confront the possibility of something much deeper,” Betts said. “I call it hate.”

Betts called for each incident to be thoroughly investigated and said hate-crime statutes should be used if supported by the evidence.

No representative from the Windsor Police Department was present at Friday’s press conference, but state and local officials provided an update when asked about the investigation.

Black-Burke said police were notified as soon as officials became aware of the incidents and are actively investigating.

“We don’t have much follow-up right now, but they are involved,” Black-Burke said, adding that police would keep town officials and the community informed as the investigation develops.

Bysiewicz said Connecticut State Police and the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection are also aware of the incidents.

“They will make sure that they assist the local police in any way they can,” Bysiewicz said.

Officials said they did not yet know whether the three incidents were connected.

The first was discovered around Sept. 12, when a Pride flag was torn down from First Church. The church has since replaced it.

The Rev. Adrienne Armes said the congregation displays the flag as a visible sign that LGBTQ+ residents are welcome and safe at the church.

“When a symbol of welcome is torn down, the message sent to LGBTQIA+ people is that their dignity is negotiable and their safety is conditional,” Armes said.

Armes said the church would continue displaying the flag and welcoming LGBTQ+ residents.

Days later, a memorial bench honoring Alfred and Patricia Narcisse was discovered missing from the cemetery at Archer Memorial AME Zion Church.

The couple led Windsor’s Freedom Trail Committee for 25 years and were longtime contributors to the church and community. The bench provided a place for their sons, church members and other residents to reflect on their work.

“To think that someone would remove a memorial bench given as a token of respect and honor from the church cemetery is simply beyond me,” the Rev. Monique Sanders, pastor of Archer Memorial, said.

A bronze plaque was then removed from the U.S. Colored Regiments Memorial Monument at Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The monument, dedicated in May, honors Black soldiers and sailors from Windsor who served during the Civil War.

The timing has raised additional concern because September is Connecticut Freedom Trail Month and Windsor is marking the 30th anniversary of its Freedom Trail Committee.

Black-Burke said Windsor’s strength comes from the people who call the town home and their willingness to respect each other’s differences.

“Hate is not welcome here in Windsor, Connecticut,” Black-Burke said. “We will call it out.”

Garibay said remaining quiet and hoping the incidents would fade from attention was not an acceptable response.

“Together, we are stronger than the few bad,” Garibay said. “If you see something, say something.”

Bysiewicz closed by saying the state would continue working to protect residents from discrimination and intimidation.

“Intolerance, hate and discrimination have no home here in Connecticut,” Bysiewicz said.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents can contact the Windsor Police Department at 860-688-5273.

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