Our Story

 The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition traces its roots back to Black Voices of New Britain, a grassroots coalition formed in 2020 during the nationwide uprising against racism and police violence following the murder of George Floyd.

As cities across the country issued statements condemning the killing of George Floyd, many residents in New Britain felt the city government was willing to denounce police violence elsewhere while ignoring, justifying, or remaining silent about police misconduct and violence happening in New Britain itself. Black Voices of New Britain was formed by local residents, organizers, educators, faith leaders, and young people who believed symbolic statements about unity were meaningless without accountability and structural change at home.

One of the coalition’s earliest public actions came in June 2020 during New Britain’s “Ride for Unity” event organized by Mayor Erin Stewart. Members of Black Voices of New Britain intentionally disrupted the event to challenge what they viewed as hypocrisy from city leadership. While officials publicly condemned the officer who killed George Floyd, organizers demanded the city also confront its own history of police misconduct, racial inequities, and lack of accountability.

As the mayor concluded her remarks, members of Black Voices publicly called out to her and attempted to present a list of demands centered on racial justice and police accountability, including the creation of mechanisms for civilian oversight of policing. The action made clear that New Britain was not exempt from the national conversation around racism and police violence.

That moment helped establish the organization’s approach: combining direct action, grassroots organizing, political education, and advocacy to pressure institutions while building community power from the ground up.

Over time, the work expanded beyond policing issues alone. The organization became involved in housing justice, tenant organizing, decarceration, reentry support, mutual aid, public education advocacy, and broader racial and economic justice campaigns. As the coalition evolved into a broader, multiracial movement, Black Voices of New Britain later became the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition.

While the name changed, the mission remained the same: organizing directly impacted communities to fight for dignity, accountability, and systemic change in New Britain and across Connecticut.