Police investigate report that protesters struck by car

Skyler Frazer, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Nov. 22—MANCHESTER — Police said today they are investigating a report that a car struck protesters Saturday as they blocked traffic on Main Street to protest the jury's decision in the Kyle Rittenhouse case.

The protest was organized by PowerUp CT and held at the corner of Main and Center streets, "The Spot" where the group has periodically held protests since May 2020 when George Floyd was killed by police in Minneapolis.

Police Lt. Ryan Shea confirmed that the incident is being investigated but provided no details.

In a statement posted to social media Sunday, PowerUp CT founder Keren Prescott said her organization and Cornell Lewis' Self-Defense Brigade organized a protest that day following the Rittenhouse verdict on Friday.

During the protest, several people blocked the northbound lanes of traffic on Main Street at the intersection with Center Street, according to video posted to social media by PowerUp.

A car that had stopped moved forward into the group and turned right onto Center Street, driving off, the video shows.

"During the protest, several protesters were struck by a Black Honda CRV with Massachusetts plates and people were hurt and the vehicle sped off," Prescott wrote. "The individuals who were hit are pressing charges and seeking medical attention. When there is no justice, there will be no peace."

Rittenhouse, a then-17-year-old former police youth cadet from Antioch, Illinois, killed two men and wounded a third with an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He said he intended to protect property from rioters but that he came under attack and feared for his life.

The shootings happened during a tumultuous night of protests over the shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake, by a white Kenosha police officer.

This story includes Associated Press reports.

For updates on Manchester and Bolton, follow Skyler Frazer on Twitter: @SkyFraCT, Facebook: SkyFraCT, and Instagram: SkylerFrazerJI to stay updated on his latest articles.