The mayor denounces the armed “self-defense brigade” that protects the black neighborhood [VIDEO]

Hartford, Conn. – Mayor Arunan Arulampalam (D) of Hartford, Conn., has condemned the predominantly black community for organizing a self-defense group to fight violent crime in his neighborhood.

As reported by New York Postapproximately 40 residents have formed the “Self-Defense Brigade” and have taken to patrolling the streets at night, using drones to monitor homes and businesses for potential threats.

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The brigade's founder, Cornell Lewis, expressed this FOX News that the Democratic-led city government has failed to address the growing violence in his community, stating, “The Democratic machine in Hartford won't or can't, isn't able to, and the people are paying their dues taxes, and you're not really getting any kind of service. So we want people to understand, first, self-defense is not a dirty word.”

The Post reported that the squad was launched in response to a plea from Archbishop Dexter Burke of the Walk in the Light Church of God after the fatal shooting of two men near his church in February.

In response to the self-defense efforts, Mayor Arulampalam issued a statement denouncing the armed citizenry, emphasizing the need for healing within the community rather than resorting to vigilantism. He said: “Our community has seen so much pain and trauma, and what we need is for those who love this city to do the hard work of healing that pain, not walking our streets with guns trying to take over the law . hands.”

Black men and women patrolling and cleaning up the north end of Hartford, Connecticut.

“We are not vigilantes, we are a group of disciplined, trained people who go to the shooting range.”pic.twitter.com/jp2RKaomM5

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePress) March 10, 2024

The formation of the “Self-Defense Brigade” and Mayor Arulampalam's complaint have sparked a growing debate in the city about methods to deal with the current violence and the role of the community in ensuring its safety.

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