With the passing of Congressman William Ratchford, I left it was important to do a television show in his memory...and last night we did just that.
On last night's edition of the Marty Heiser Show, I assisted in assembling a lineup of friends and colleagues of Danbury native who talked about Ratchford and his everlasting legacy.
I'd like to thank the following for sharing their memories of Bill.
Former Mayor Gene Eriquez Deputy Speaker Bob Godfrey Former Governor John Rowland Attorney General George Jepsen Former State Rep. Joe Walkovich Ann Boynton Hillel Goldman Esq. Joe DaSilva Sr.
04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school
06.03.22 (OP-ED): KUSHNER: "Career Academy ‘a great deal for Danbury"
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.